Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

lossy

[law-see, los-ee]
adjective Electricity.
  1. (of a material or transmission line) causing appreciable loss or dissipation of energy.
Show More

Origin of lossy

First recorded in 1945–50; loss + -y1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for lossy

lossy

adjective
  1. (of a dielectric material, transmission line, etc) designed to have a high attenuation; dissipating energylossy line Compare lossless
Show More

Word Origin

C20: from loss
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 lossy

adj.

"characterized by loss," 1948, a term in electrical engineering, from loss + -y (2).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper