[′lāt·ənt ¦hēt əv ′fyü·zhən] (thermodynamics) heat of fusion
latent heat of fusion
latent heat of fusion
The heat required to convert 1 g of a solid to a liquid at the same temperature. For example, the process of converting 1 g of ice at 0°C to water at 0°C requires 80 cal, and, until it is completed, there will be no rise in the temperature. See also: heat