| 释义 |
thermonuclear|θɜːməʊˈnjuːklɪə(r)|
Also thermo-nuclear.
[f. thermo- + nuclear a.]
a. Derived from, utilizing, or being a nuclear reaction that occurs only at very high temperatures (such as those inside stars), viz. fusion of hydrogen or other light nuclei.
[1937G. Gamow Struct. Atomic Nuclei 232 The first calculations concerning thermal nuclear reactions were carried out by Atkinson and Houtermans.] 1938Physical Rev. LIII. 595/1 The behavior of a star with a thermo⁓nuclear energy source..is studied. 1942B. Bliven Men who make Future xi. 202 This perhaps represents a struggle between two almost unbelievably powerful forces within each star—what is called the ‘thermo-nuclear reaction’ and gravitation. 1954Ann. Reg. 1953 377 Pravda described the results of a ‘thermo-nuclear’ explosion. 1958New Statesman 1 Feb. 123/2 Thermo⁓nuclear energy depends on building up atoms of hydrogen into atoms of helium. 1962F. I. Ordway et al. Basic Astronautics vi. 284 A new star not yet hot enough to initiate thermonuclear reactions obtains its luminosity from gravitational contraction. 1964M. Gowing Britain & Atomic Energy 1939–1945 ix. 260 Thermonuclear fusion of light elements would provide infinitely more powerful reactions than fission of heavy elements. 1969Times 20 Feb. 17/5 It implied that their calculations of the sun's thermonuclear fuel budget were considerably in error. 1976McGraw-Hill Yearbk. Sci. & Technol. 342/1 In controlled thermonuclear reactors the nuclear reaction D + T→4He + n + 17·6 MeV occurs in a plasma at temperatures of 100–500 × 106 kelvins.
b. Pertaining to, characterized by, or possessing weapons that utilize thermonuclear reactions.
1953Time 19 Oct. 25/3 Secretary of Defense Wilson, at his press conference, cast doubt on a suggestion that the Russians had a thermonuclear bomb ‘in droppable form’. 1955Ann. Reg. 1954 169 Mr. Adlai Stevenson..inquired whether the ‘New Look’ meant leaving the country with ‘the choice of inaction or a thermo-nuclear holocaust’. 1955Times 13 July 9/5 They draw attention to the possibility that a thermo-nuclear war might put an end to the human race. 1958Listener 7 Aug. 207/3 So long as Britain makes her own nuclear weapons, and particularly the thermo-nuclear weapon, there is no possibility of dissuading France or Germany or Sweden from developing theirs. 1959Times Lit. Suppl. 16 Jan. 27/3 In the Thermo-nuclear age, if civilization is not to disintegrate.., the premises of Gandhi have an immediate relevance. 1959Daily Tel. 4 Mar. 8 With the thermo⁓nuclear cloud overshadowing the world no statesman, not even a Soviet Prime Minister, can afford to disregard mankind's longing for peace. 1965H. Kahn On Escalation ii. 42 In a thermonuclear balance of terror, both nations will be reluctant to start a crisis. 1966J. W. Burton in de Reuck & Knight Conflict in Society xxiii. 380 In the relations of the two thermo-nuclear States, tensions arise from unacceptable enactments of their respective roles. 1972M. H. Halperin Contemporary Mil. Strategy i. 7 One has only to recall Mr. Khruschev's statements during the Cuban missile crisis about the world being close to thermo⁓nuclear war. |