Mercury Thermometer (Noun)
Meaning
Thermometer consisting of mercury contained in a bulb at the bottom of a graduated sealed glass capillary tube marked in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit; mercury expands with a rise in temperature causing a thin thread of mercury to rise in the tube.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The doctor carefully placed the mercury thermometer under the patient's tongue to check for fever.
- The old mercury thermometer hung on the wall beside the thermostat, waiting to be replaced.
- After being damaged in the earthquake, the antique mercury thermometer was collected for safe disposal.
- In most medical settings, digital thermometers have replaced the traditional mercury thermometer.
- The student filled a tray with mercury thermometers, watching in fascination as the rising temperature made the silvery liquid expand.