calorie

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A non-SI unit of energy, equivalent to 4.184 kilojoules, that can raise the temperature of a kilogram of water by one degree Celsius. This is the unit normally used in food labeling.

   Holonyms: megacalorie < gigacalorie

2. 2
   noun

   A non-SI unit of energy, equivalent to 4.184 joules, that can raise the temperature of a gram of water by one degree Celsius. This unit was formerly widely used in chemistry and physics.

   Holonyms: kilocalorie, calorie (large-calorie sense), large calorie, Calorie (capital C) < megacalorie < gigacalorie

3. 3
   noun

   Synonym of kilocalorie (“large calorie”).

   Holonyms: megacalorie < gigacalorie

4. 4
   noun

   unit of heat defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree centigrade at atmospheric pressure

Etymology

Borrowed from French calorie, formed from Latin calor. It was originally defined as the large calorie in the early 19th century, with the small calorie being defined some decades later.