| 释义 |
rheostat Electr.|ˈriːəstæt|
[f. rheo- + στατός, vbl. adj. of ἱστάναι to stand.]
Orig. (see quot. 1843.) Now, a resistor whose resistance can be varied by mechanical means, esp. a variable wire-wound resistor used for controlling large currents.
1843Wheatstone in Phil. Trans. 309 As the principal use of this instrument is to adjust or regulate the circuit so that any constant degree of force may be obtained I have called it a rheostat. 1896Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 369 The rheostat is again brought into use to lower the current. 1920Whittaker's Electr. Engineer's Pocket-bk. (ed. 4) 561 In one form of rheostat, the grids are formed of rectangular wire in one continuous length. 1960Practical Wireless XXXVI. 373/1 (Advt.), Variable rheostats, heavy duty slider resistor rated at 25 amps. 1972P. Marks Collector's Choice i. 26 All the lights and rheostats. 1974Encycl. Brit. Micropædia VIII. 548/2 The rheostat can adjust generator characteristics, dim lights, and start or control the speed of motors... A special type of rheostat is the potentiometer.
attrib.1850A. Secchi Res. Electr. Rheometry 35 Coiling the rheostat wire on the wooden cylinder. 1879Noad & Preece Electr. 207 The rheostat cylinder.
Hence ˈrheostatted a., fitted with or controlled by a rheostat.
1978J. Updike Coup (1979) v. 211 The symbolic riband of gold on his forehead took glitter from the rheostatted spotlight. |