variometer

American  

[vair-ee-om-i-ter] / ˌvɛər iˈɒm ɪ tər /

noun

1. Electricity. an instrument for measuring inductance, consisting essentially of an inductor with two or more coils whose relative position may be changed to vary the inductance.

2. an instrument for indicating a change in a component of a magnetic field vector, especially one related to the earth's magnetic field.

3. Aeronautics. an instrument that indicates the rate of climb or descent.

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variometer British  

/ ˌvɛərɪˈɒmɪtə /

noun

1. an instrument for measuring variations in a magnetic field, used esp for studying the magnetic field of the earth

2. electronics a variable inductor consisting of a movable coil mounted inside and connected in series with a fixed coil

3. a sensitive rate-of-climb indicator, used mainly in gliders

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Etymology

Origin of variometer

1895–1900; vari- ( various ) + -o- + -meter

Example Sentences

GlideMate also tracks rates of ascent or descent, mimicking a device called a variometer and allowing him to leave some bulky gear behind when he flies.

From Washington Post

These dials over here control the variable condensers, and the other ones control the variometers.

From Project Gutenberg

Another way to make a variable inductance is to make what is called a “variometer.”

From Project Gutenberg

The modern radio receiving set includes various devices, such as variable condensers, variocouplers, loose-couplers, variometers, the purpose of which is to "tune" or adjust the receiving set to be capable of receiving the radio waves.

From Project Gutenberg

The telegraph sending keys, field and battery switch, dry battery, variometer and antenna reel are the only units included inside the fuselage.

From Project Gutenberg