A kind of thermometer consisting of two wires of different metals that are joined at both ends; one junction is at the temperature to be measured and the other is held at a fixed lower temperature; the current generated in the circuit is proportional to the temperature difference.

synonym: thermocouple junction.

Roget 389: thermometer, thermometrograph^†, mercury thermometer, alcohol thermometer, clinical thermometer, dry-bulb thermometer, wet-bulb thermometer, Anschutz thermometer [G.], gas thermometer, telethermometer; color-changing temperature indicator; thermopile, thermoscope^†; pyrometer, calorimeter, bomb calorimeter; thermistor, thermocouple.    [temperature-control devices] thermostat, thermoregulator.    (3) Taste ... show more

Dutch: thermoelement, thermo-element
Polish: termoelement, termopara, ogniwo termoelektryczne, termoogniwo