| / English Dictionary |
GENERATOR
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Engine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("generator" is a kind of...):
engine (motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work)
Meronyms (parts of "generator"):
brush (conducts current between rotating and stationary parts of a generator or motor)
rotor; rotor coil (the rotating armature of a motor or generator)
stator; stator coil (mechanical device consisting of the stationary part of a motor or generator in or around which the rotor revolves)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "generator"):
alternator (an old term for an electric generator that produces alternating current (especially in automobiles))
dynamo (generator consisting of a coil (the armature) that rotates between the poles of an electromagnet (the field magnet) causing a current to flow in the armature)
magneto; magnetoelectric machine (a small dynamo with a secondary winding that produces a high voltage enabling a spark to jump between the poles of a spark plug in a gasoline engine)
turbogenerator (generator consisting of a steam turbine coupled to an electric generator for the production of electric power)
aerogenerator; wind generator; windmill (generator that extracts usable energy from winds)
Derivation:
generate (produce (energy))
Sense 2
Meaning:
An apparatus that produces a vapor or gas
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("generator" is a kind of...):
apparatus; setup (equipment designed to serve a specific function)
Sense 3
Meaning:
An electronic device for producing a signal voltage
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("generator" is a kind of...):
electronic device (a device that accomplishes its purpose electronically)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "generator"):
oscillator (generator that produces sonic oscillations or alternating current)
pulse generator (a generator of single or multiple voltage pulses; usually adjustable for pulse rate)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Someone who originates or causes or initiates something
Example:
he was the generator of several complaints
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("generator" is a kind of...):
maker; shaper (a person who makes things)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "generator"):
coiner (someone who is a source of new words or new expressions)
Derivation:
generate (bring into existence)
Context examples:
A battery-powered electrical impulse generator implanted in patients at risk of sudden cardiac death to detect cardiac arrhythmia and correct it by delivering a jolt of electricity.
(Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)
An electric generator designed to produce an alternating current.
(Alternator Device Component, NCI Thesaurus)
Plasma that is produced using a torch and a radio frequency (RF) generator, wherein flowing gases are introduced into the torch, the RF field is activated and the gas in the RF coil region is made electrically conductive.
(Inductively-Coupled Plasma, NCI Thesaurus)
Called RTGs, the generators are used for such tasks as powering sensors for space missions that don't get enough direct sunlight to power solar panels.
(Harvesting Electrical Power from Waste Heat, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
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