astatic
Americanadjective
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unstable; unsteady.
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Physics. having no tendency to take a definite position or direction.
adjective
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not static; unstable
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physics
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having no tendency to assume any particular position or orientation
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(of a galvanometer) having two mutually compensating magnets arranged so that the instrument is independent of the earth's magnetic field
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of astatic
1820–30; < Greek ástat ( os ) not steadfast, unstable ( a- a- 6 + statós standing) + -ic; see static
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Quartz fibres have two great advantages over other forms of suspension when employed for any kind of torsion balance, from an ordinary more or less "astatic" galvanometer to the Cavendish apparatus.
From On Laboratory Arts by Richard Threlfall
In a form of astatic needle galvanometer devised by Professor A. Broca of Paris, the pair of magnetized needles are suspended vertically and parallel to each other with poles in opposite directions.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 4 "G" to "Gaskell, Elizabeth" by Various
The most convenient way will be to use two coils, one on each side of the astatic needle.
From How Two Boys Made Their Own Electrical Apparatus Containing Complete Directions for Making All Kinds of Simple Apparatus for the Study of Elementary Electricity by Thomas M. (Thomas Matthew) St. John
The presence of the current is easily shown with the astatic detectors.
From How Two Boys Made Their Own Electrical Apparatus Containing Complete Directions for Making All Kinds of Simple Apparatus for the Study of Elementary Electricity by Thomas M. (Thomas Matthew) St. John
Then along the brow of the pass writhed a wisp of drifting, twisting flakelets, idling hither and yon, astatic and aimless, settling in a hollow.
From Pardners by Rex Ellingwood Beach
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
