a sensory receptor that responds to stimulation by cold or heat
thermoreceptor in American English
(ˌθɜːrmourɪˈseptər)
noun
Physiology
a receptor stimulated by changes in temperature
Word origin
[1945–50; thermo- + receptor]This word is first recorded in the period 1945–50. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: RNA, ergative, poison pill, shootout, synchronized swimmingthermo- is a combining form meaning “heat,” “hot,” used in the formation of compound words.Other words that use the affix thermo- include: thermocoagulation, thermography, thermomagnetic, thermophone, thermostat