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solenoid

[soh-luh-noid, sol-uh-]
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noun
  1. Electricity. an electric conductor wound as a helix with small pitch, or as two or more coaxial helices, so that current through the conductor establishes a magnetic field within the conductor.
  2. Also called solenoid switch. a switch controlled by such an arrangement, in which a metal rod moves when the current is turned on: used in automotive starting systems.
  3. Meteorology. a space formed by the intersection of isobaric and isosteric surfaces.
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Origin of solenoid

1825–35; < French solénoïde < Greek sōlḗn pipe, channel + French -oïde -oid
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for solenoid

Historical Examples

  • It was also, the writer believes, built on the solenoid principle.

    The Invention of the Track Circuit

    American Railway Association

  • One of the parts in the design had been a solenoid, part No.

  • The first sad thing was to learn that the solenoid M1537 was as good as new.

  • What is the character of the lines of force of a solenoid in which a current is flowing?

  • The product AN is called the “ampere-turns” on the solenoid.

British Dictionary definitions for solenoid

solenoid

noun
  1. a coil of wire, usually cylindrical, in which a magnetic field is set up by passing a current through it
  2. a coil of wire, partially surrounding an iron core, that is made to move inside the coil by the magnetic field set up by a current: used to convert electrical to mechanical energy, as in the operation of a switch
  3. such a device used as a relay, as in a motor vehicle for connecting the battery directly to the starter motor when activated by the ignition switch
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Derived Formssolenoidal, adjectivesolenoidally, adverb

Word Origin

C19: from French solénoïde, from Greek sōlēn a pipe, tube
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 solenoid

n.

"coil of insulated wire carrying an electrical current and having magnetic properties," 1827, from French solénoïde, from Greek solenoeides "pipe-shaped," from solen "pipe, channel" + comb. form of eidos "form, shape" (see -oid). Related: Solenoidal.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
solenoid in Science

solenoid

[sō′lə-noid′]
  1. A coil of wire that acts as an electromagnet when electric current is passed through it, often used to control the motion of metal objects, such as the switch of a relay.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.