photocell

American  

[foh-toh-sel] / ˈfoʊ toʊˌsɛl /

noun

Electronics.

1. a solid-state device that converts light into electrical energy by producing a voltage, as in a photovoltaic cell, or uses light to regulate the flow of current, as in a photoconductive cell: used in automatic control systems for doors, lighting, etc.

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photocell British  

/ ˈfəʊtəʊˌsɛl /

noun

1. Also called: photoelectric cell.   electric eye.  a device in which the photoelectric or photovoltaic effect or photoconductivity is used to produce a current or voltage when exposed to light or other electromagnetic radiation. They are used in exposure meters, burglar alarms, etc

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photocell Scientific  

/ fō′tō-sĕl′ /

1. See photoresistor

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Etymology

Origin of photocell

First recorded in 1890–95; photo- + cell

Example Sentences

The young Arthur received cast-off equipment, such as telephones, switch-gear and a photocell from his relative George Grimstone, an engineer who taught him to build wireless crystal sets.

From Nature • Jan. 17, 2017

"We looked at changing the timers but most of our street lights don't have timers they operate on a photocell, so if you upgrade the switch gear it's actually quite expensive."

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2011

A huge chameleon will turn the color of the clothes of the person who may stand before the photocell which constitutes its "eye."

From Time Magazine Archive

A photocell watching the position of the eyeball could steer the astronaut to any target at which he looked steadily.

From Time Magazine Archive

Today we combine a laser and a photocell, or a radar transmitter and a radio telescope, and in this way make active contact by light with distant objects.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan