superheat

su·per·heat  (spr-ht)

tr.v. su·per·heat·ed, su·per·heat·ing, su·per·heats

1. To heat excessively; overheat.

2. To heat (steam or other vapor not in contact with its own liquid) beyond its saturation point at a given pressure.

3. To heat (a liquid) above its boiling point without causing vaporization.

n. (spr-ht)

1. The amount by which a vapor is superheated.

2. The heat imparted during the process of superheating.

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super·heater n.

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superheat  (spr-ht)

To heat a substance above a phase-transition temperature without the transition occurring. For example, water can be heated above its boiling point without boiling; the introduction of an impurity or physical disturbance can then trigger boiling. Superheating is an example of hysteresis. Compare supercool.