Fahrenheit

adjective Fahr·en·heit \ˈfer-ən-ˌhīt\

Definition of FAHRENHEIT

: relating or conforming to a thermometric scale on which under standard atmospheric pressure the boiling point of water is at 212 degrees above the zero of the scale, the freezing point is at 32 degrees above zero, and the zero point approximates the temperature produced by mixing equal quantities by weight of snow and common salt —abbreviation F

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Origin of FAHRENHEIT

Daniel G. Fahrenheit

First Known Use: 1753

Fahrenheit

biographical name Fah·ren·heit \ˈfa-rən-ˌhīt, ˈfär-ən-\

Definition of FAHRENHEIT

Daniel Gabriel 1686–1736 Ger. physicist

FAHRENHEIT Defined for Kids

Fahrenheit

adjective Fahr·en·heit \ˈfar-ən-ˌhīt\

Definition of FAHRENHEIT for Kids

: relating to or having a temperature scale on which the boiling point of water is at 212 degrees above the zero of the scale and the freezing point is at 32 degrees above zero

Medical Dictionary

Fahrenheit

adjective Fahr·en·heit \ˈfar-ən-ˌhīt\

Medical Definition of FAHRENHEIT

Biographical Note for FAHRENHEIT

Fahrenheit, Daniel Gabriel (1686–1736), German physicist. Fahrenheit devoted his career mostly to the making of precision scientific instruments. In 1709 he developed an alcohol thermometer, superseding it with a mercury thermometer in 1714. His most important achievement was his development, from the work of Olaus Roemer, of the thermometric scale that bears his name.