rectifier

[ rek-tuh-fahy-er ]

/ ˈrɛk təˌfaɪ ər /

noun

a person or thing that rectifies.

Electricity. an apparatus in which current flows more readily in one direction than the other, for changing an alternating current into a direct current.

the apparatus that in distillation separates the most volatile material by condensing it; condenser.

Nearby words

Origin of rectifier

First recorded in 1605–15; rectify + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rectifier

The English rectifier endeavours to imitate this by the addition of a little sugar.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
The absence of moving parts to got out of order is an advantage possessed by this rectifier over the motor-generator.
The Automobile Storage Battery|O. A. Witte
The wash is pumped from the wash charger into the worm-tub, which passes from top to bottom of the rectifier.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley
This rectifier is therefore more suitable for larger shops, especially where electric truck and pleasure cars are charged.
The Automobile Storage Battery|O. A. Witte

Became a golden orator with a silver speech and offered himself as a rectifier of all things not Bryan.
Who Was Who: 5000 B. C. to Date|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for rectifier

rectifier

/ (ˈrɛktɪˌfaɪə) /

noun

an electronic device, such as a semiconductor diode or valve, that converts an alternating current to a direct current by suppression or inversion of alternate half cycles

chem an apparatus for condensing a hot vapour to a liquid in distillation; condenser

a thing or person that rectifies

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 rectifier

rectifier

1610s, agent noun from rectify.

Science definitions for rectifier

rectifier

[ rĕk′tə-fī′ər ]

An electrical device that converts alternating current to direct current. Rectifiers are most often made of a combination of diodes, which allow current to pass in one direction only. Compare converter transformer.