Carnot's theorem
noun
variants or Carnot's principle
: a principle in thermodynamics: an engine working in a reversible cycle is at least as efficient as any other engine working between the same limits of temperature, the efficiency of such an engine being a function of the two limiting temperatures and not dependent on the mechanical design or the working substance of the engine
Word History
Etymology
translation of French principe de Carnot, after N.L.S. Carnot, its formulator