1. Symbol S For a closed thermodynamic system, a quantitative measure of the amount of thermal energy not available to do work.
2. A measure of the disorder or randomness in a closed system.
3. A measure of the loss of information in a transmitted message.
4. A hypothetical tendency for all matter and energy in the universe to evolve toward a state of inert uniformity.
5. Inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society. [German Entropie : Greek en-, in; see EN-2 + Greek tropT, transformation; see trep- below.] -entropic (Rn-trÅ2p≤k, -trÄp2≤k) adj. -entropically adv.
trep-. Important derivatives are: trope, contrive, retrieve, trophy, tropic, entropy.
trep-. To turn.
1. -TROPOUS; APOTROPAIC, (ATROPOS), TREPONEMA, from Greek trepein, to turn, with o-grade tropos, turning.
2. O-grade form *trop-. a. suffixed form *trop-o-. TROPE, (TROUBADOUR), (TROVER); CONTRIVE, (RETRIEVE), from Greek tropos, a turn, way, manner; b. suffixed form *trop-E-. TROPHY, TROPIC, TROPO-; ENTROPY, from Greek tropT, a turning, change. [Pokorny 2. trep- 1094.]