also  cal*o*ry  n, pl  -ries  1 a  :  the amount of heat required at a pressure of one atmosphere to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree Celsius that is equal to about 4.19 joules - abbr. cal - called also gram calorie , small calorie   b  :  the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water one degree Celsius that is equal to 1000 gram calories or 3.968 Btu - abbr. Cal - called also kilocalorie , kilogram calorie , large calorie   2 a  :  a unit equivalent to the large calorie expressing heat-producing or energy-producing value in food when oxidized in the body  b  :  an amount of food having an energy-producing value of one large calorie .
 
 
 
Similar sounding terms:  cal·or   clear  col·lar  col·or 
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2004.