Celsius

Cel·si·us

(sel'sē-ŭs),

Anders, Swedish astronomer, 1701-1744. See: Celsius scale.

Cel·si·us scale

(sel'sē-ŭs skāl)

A temperature scale that is based on the triple point of water (defined to be 273.16°K) and assigned the value of 0.01°C; has replaced the centigrade scale because the triple point of water can be more accurately measured than the ice point; for most practical purposes, however, the two scales are equivalent.

[Anders Celsius]