Aerometers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An instrument used to measure the density or specific gravity of gases and vapors
2. A device employed for assessing air density by determining the buoyancy of a floating body
3. A tool designed for measuring the weight or pressure of air in various scientific applications

Etymology: "Aerometers" is simply the plural of "aerometer," an instrument for measuring the density or specific gravity of gases and vapours. The word is a compound of the Greek "aēr," meaning air, and "metron," meaning measure, the same measuring element found in "thermometer" and "barometer." Its sense is literal and technical, so the most useful way to read it is as "air-measurers," tools named directly for what they do. Because "aerometer" was built from Greek parts, it belongs to the same family of scientific coinages as those instruments. The plural simply adds the usual "-s" to the singular form.