dielectric

American  

[dahy-i-lek-trik] / ˌdaɪ ɪˈlɛk trɪk /

noun

1. a nonconducting substance; insulator.

2. a substance in which an electric field can be maintained with a minimum loss of power.

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adjective

1. of or relating to a dielectric substance.

dielectric British  

/ ˌdaɪɪˈlɛktrɪk /

noun

1. a substance or medium that can sustain a static electric field within it

2. a substance or body of very low electrical conductivity; insulator

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adjective

1. of, concerned with, or having the properties of a dielectric

dielectric Scientific  

/ dī′ĭ-lĕk′trĭk /

1. Having little or no ability to conduct electricity, generally as a result of having no electrons that are free to move.

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1. A dielectric substance, especially one used in a capacitor to maintain an electric field between the plates.

dielectric Cultural  

1. A material that conducts (see conduction) electricity poorly or not at all. If a voltage is applied to a dielectric, the atoms in the material arrange themselves in such a way as to oppose the flow of electric current (see also current). Glass, wood, and plastic are common dielectrics. (See insulator.)

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Other Word Forms

• dielectrically adverb

Etymology

Origin of dielectric

First recorded in 1830–40; di- ³ + electric

Example Sentences

When a raindrop lands on the floating dielectric film, the water beneath it provides the strength needed to absorb the impact because of its incompressibility and surface tension.

From Science Daily

These antennas, built from layers of metal and dielectric materials in a precise bullseye pattern, guide the light in a well-defined direction instead of letting it scatter.

From Science Daily

According to a study published in Nature, an international team of researchers from Rice University and Hanyang University developed the material by embedding clusters of highly dielectric ceramic nanoparticles into an elastic polymer.

From Science Daily

Moreover, by manipulating the chemical composition of the crystal, valuable electromagnetic properties such as dielectric properties, which finds applications in electronics and capacitors, can be precisely engineered.

From Science Daily

They are made of dielectric materials that polarize on the application of the voltage.

From Science Daily