Thermal vs. Thermic

Thermalnoun

(meteorology) A column of rising air in the lower atmosphere created by uneven heating of Earth's surface.

Thermicadjective

Of, related to, or associated with heat; thermal.

Thermaladjective

Pertaining to heat or temperature.

Thermicadjective

Of or pertaining to heat; due to heat; thermal; as, thermic lines.

Thermaladjective

(fabric) Providing efficient insulation so as to keep the body warm.

Thermicadjective

relating to or associated with heat;

‘thermal movements of molecules’; ‘thermal capacity’; ‘thermic energy’; ‘the caloric effect of sunlight’;

Thermaladjective

Caused, brought about by heat.

Thermaladjective

(stone) Having a rough finish by treatment with a blow-torch.

Thermalverb

(stone) To create a rough finish on stone by treating it with a high-temperature blow-torch.

Thermalverb

To fly an unpowered aircraft in a (thermal) column of rising air.

Thermaladjective

Of or pertaining to heat; warm; hot; as, the thermal unit; thermal waters.

‘The thermal condition of the earth.’;

Thermaladjective

caused by or affected by heat; as, thermal springs.

Thermaladjective

designed to retain heat; as, thermal underwear.

Thermalnoun

rising current of warm air

Thermaladjective

relating to or associated with heat;

‘thermal movements of molecules’; ‘thermal capacity’; ‘thermic energy’; ‘the caloric effect of sunlight’;

Thermaladjective

of or relating to hot a hot spring;

‘thermal water’;

Thermaladjective

caused by or designed to retain heat;

‘a thermal burn’; ‘thermal underwear’;

Thermal

A thermal column (or thermal) is a column of rising air in the lower altitudes of Earth's atmosphere, a form of atmospheric updraft. Thermals are created by the uneven heating of Earth's surface from solar radiation, and are an example of convection, specifically atmospheric convection.