An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Energy possessed by a substance in the form of kinetic energy of atomic or molecular translation, rotation, or vibration.

Etymology (EN): Heat, from O.E. hætu, hæto, from P.Gmc. *khaitin- “heat,” from *khaitaz “hot” (cf. O.N. hiti, Ger. hitze “heat,” Goth. heito “fever”).

Etymology (PE): Garmâ “heat, warmth,” from Mid.Pers. garmâg; O.Pers./Av. garəma- “hot, warm;” cf. Skt. gharmah “heat;” Gk. thermos “warm;” L. formus “warm,” fornax “oven;” P.Gmc. *warmaz; O.E. wearm; E. warm; O.H.G., Ger. warm; PIE *ghworm-/*ghwerm- “warm.”