galvanometer

[gal-vuh-nom-i-ter]

noun

an instrument for detecting the existence of small electric currents and determining their strength.

Origin of galvanometer

First recorded in 1795–1805; galvano- + -meter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for galvanometer

Historical Examples of galvanometer

To indicate the effect, he included a galvanometer in the circuit of the battery and the button.
Heroes of the Telegraph
J. Munro
An instrument which reveals this condition is called a galvanometer.
Electricity for Boys
J. S. Zerbe
A galvanometer (D) or other current-testing means is placed in this circuit.
Electricity for Boys
J. S. Zerbe
The galvanometer before which Devin was seated apparently agreed.
The Ultimate Weapon
John Wood Campbell
We can determine the relative strengths of two currents by the use of a galvanometer.
Physics
Willis Eugene Tower

British Dictionary definitions for galvanometer

galvanometer

noun

any sensitive instrument for detecting or measuring small electric currents

Derived Formsgalvanometric (ˌɡælvənəʊˈmɛtrɪk, ɡælˌvænə-) or galvanometrical, adjectivegalvanometrically, adverbgalvanometry, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for galvanometer

1802, from comb. form of galvanism + -meter.

galvanometer in Science

galvanometer

[găl′və-nŏm′ĭ-tər]

An instrument that detects small electric currents and indicates their direction and relative strength. Current flowing through the galvanometer passes through a coil near a magnetized needle on a pivot; the strength of the current in the coil regulates the strength of a magnetic field that displaces the needle. Galvanometers can be used directly as ammeters, and are the core element of many ohmmeters and voltmeters.