barometer

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

bar·om·eter [barometer barometers] BrE [bəˈrɒmɪtə(r)] NAmE [bəˈrɑːmɪtər] noun
1. an instrument for measuring air pressure to show when the weather will change
•The barometer is falling (= showing that it will probably rain).
2. something that shows the changes that are happening in an economic, social or political situation
•Infant mortality is a reliable barometer of socio-economic conditions.
Derived Word: ↑barometric

Word Origin:
mid 17th cent.: from Greek baros ‘weight’ + -meter (see ↑meter).

Example Bank:
•Infant mortality is a highly sensitive barometer of socio-economic conditions.
•The barometer has been steady for three days now.
•Ownership of cattle was a barometer of status.
•The skin is an accurate barometer of your state of health.
•What barometer is there to measure fear and intimidation?