Intercool

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To lower the temperature of pressurized air between successive stages of a mechanical compressor or turbocharger
2. To reduce heat in compressed air flowing between multiple compressor stages by passing it through a cooling system
3. To chill air that has been pressurized by one compressor stage before it enters the next stage of compression

Etymology: "Intercool" is formed from the prefix "inter-", meaning "between" or "among," joined to the verb "cool." The result is a term for cooling that happens in the spaces between other processes, rather than in a single step on its own. The prefix "inter-" comes from Latin, where it meant "between," "among," or "during," and English has used it for centuries to build words such as "intercept" and "interval." Attaching it to "cool" follows that same pattern, so the word reads literally as "cool between" or "cool in the interval."

Synonyms: cool between stages