Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X, list of scientific terms with Scottish connections).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
RANKINE. After W. J. M. Rankine (1820–1872), of Edinburgh, Professor of Civil Engineering in Glasgow. Used appositionally to indicate the degrees on the absolute temperature scale devised by Rankine, using the Fahrenheit degree as the unit, i.e. zero = 4596 Fahrenheit. Also in phrs. Rankine('s) cycle, a steam engine cycle without compression, Rankine's formula, a formula for the collapsing load of a column, Rankine's method, for setting out curves in surveying.
