baroclinic

adjective

bar·​o·​clin·​ic

¦ber-ə-¦kli-nik,

¦ba-rə-

: relating to a state of a fluid (such as the atmosphere) in which surfaces of constant pressure intersect those of constant density compare barotropic

baroclinically

¦ber-ə-¦kli-ni-k(ə-)lē

¦ba-rə-

adverb

One argument is that the Hadley cell extent is determined by the latitude at which the mean flow within it becomes baroclinically unstable …

—Richard Seager et al., Journal of Climate, 1 Sept. 2010

Word History

Etymology

baro- + -clinic

Note: See note at barotropic

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

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