homeothermic

adjective

ho·​meo·​ther·​mic ˌhō-mē-ō-ˈthər-mik How to pronounce homeothermic (audio)
variants or less commonly homoiothermic
: having a relatively uniform body temperature maintained nearly independent of the environmental temperature : warm-blooded
There are several mechanisms by which homeothermic animals increase their heat production, including shivering, sympathetic nervous system activation and stimulation of thyroid hormone secretion.J. E. Silva et al.
homeotherm noun
or less commonly homoiotherm
homeothermy noun
or less commonly homoiothermy

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of homeothermic was in 1870

Dictionary Entries Near homeothermic

Cite this Entry

“Homeothermic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeothermic. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

homeothermic

adjective
ho·​meo·​ther·​mic ˌhō-mē-ə-ˈthər-mik How to pronounce homeothermic (audio)
variants also homoiothermic or homoiothermal
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