variometer

[ vair-ee-om-i-ter ]

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.

variometer

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of variometer¹

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

Example Sentences

The rotor of a variometer or variocoupler is a rotating coil.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

But, anyway, weve made enough to know the difference between a variometer and a condenser.

From Project Gutenberg

A new type of variometer has what is known as a basket weave, or wavy wound stator and rotor.

From Project Gutenberg

To be really efficient a variometer must have a small resistance and a large inductance as well as a small dielectric loss.

From Project Gutenberg