capacitor
/kəˈpæ.sə.tɚ/
UK: /kəˈpæ.sɪ.tə/
KƏPÆ · sə · tɚ (3 syllables)
English
Noun Top 39,021
Ad
Definition
An electronic component capable of storing electrical energy in an electric field; especially one consisting of two conductors separated by a dielectric.
Etymology
From capacity + -or. Capacitor replaced the term condenser (coined by Alessandro Volta in 1782) to disambiguate it from steam condenser. The coiner is unknown but the change was recommended in 1926 by British Standard Glossary of Terms in Electrical Engineering.
Example Sentences
- "By placing the 0.02μF capacitor on top of the whistle chip, the circuit oscillates at a lower frequency. […] It is possible to pick resistors and capacitors that will make the pitch higher than humans can hear."
Ad