push-pulladj.n.adv.
/ˌpʊʃˈpʊl/, U.S. /ˈpʊʃˈpʊl/ A. adj.
1. Electronics. Employing two matched valves or transistors that operate 180 degrees out of phase on identical alternating inputs, so that they conduct for alternate half-cycles and their combined output is the sum of each acting alone, making possible increased power without reduced efficiency.
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic phenomena > processes > [adjective] > concerning input or output
push-pull1920
negative-going1947
1920 H. J. Van der Bijl Thermionic Vacuum Tube vii. 261 Distortion can be reduced by means of the ‘push-pull’ circuit of E. H. Colpitts, shown in Fig. 146.
1932 Oxf. Times 23 Sept. 22/5 Some manufacturers stock ‘pairs’ of carefully matched valves for push-pull amplification.
1955 Radio Times 22 Apr. 30/1 Table radiogram with 6-watt ‘push-pull’ output.
1974 P. K. Harvey & K. J. Bohlman Stereo F.M. Radio Handbk. v. 127 The driver transistor..provides a common phase signal drive to the bases of the output pair but since they have complementary characteristics, the operation is in effect push-pull.
2000 G. Santoro Myself when I am Real (2001) viii. 168 At home he used a Garrard changer, GE cartridge, small push-pull amp, and eight-inch Jensen speaker.
2. That can be pushed and pulled; responding to or characterized by a forced motion backwards and forwards. Also figurative.In the context of microphones the reference is to the to-and-fro motion of the membrane or diaphragm in response to impinging sound waves. push-pull train n. a train which can travel in either direction without having the engine turned around; cf. push-and-pull adj. 2.
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the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > [adjective] > pushing and pulling
push-and-pull1886
push-pull1929
1894 London, Edinb. & Dublin Philos. Mag. 5th Ser. 38 301 They..show that the ‘push and pull’ theory is capable of giving an adequate account of the action of the telephone.]
1929 Prof. Paper Inst. P.O. Electr. Engineers No. 124. 34 The frequency characteristics of a Western Electric..‘push-pull’ carbon transmitter [sc. a microphone].
1934 Pract. Wireless 4 667/3 This multi-pole switch converts the usual panel-controlled push-pull action into a lateral movement.
1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 687/2 Push-pull microphone, a carbon microphone in which two carbon-granule cells are mounted on either side of a stretched diaphragm, so that amplitude distortion arising in one is largely balanced out by the opposite phase amplitude distortion in the other.
1951 Engineering 10 Aug. 178/3 ‘Push-pull’ fatigue tests on welded bridge members were continued.
1959 Motor Man. 93 A push-pull knob on the facia panel.
1962 R. B. Fuller Epic Poem on Industrialization 50 Basic structural stability..by segregated satisfaction of isolated articulating push-pull forces.
1966 K. Möller Amer. & Brit. Railway Eng. 31 Push-pull, reversible train..a type of locomotive-hauled suburban train fitted with driving control apparatus connected to the engine, at the rear end.
1971 Engineering Apr. 110/2 (advt.) A responsive industrial control system taking care of loads from a few ounces to over 1000 lb through push-pull cables.
1972 Mod. Railways Sept. 364 Instances continue to occur of Glasgow-Edinburgh push-pull trains being worked by single locomotives.
1978 A. J. Huxley Illustr. Hist. Gardening iv. 119 The push-pull weeder hoe—with a flat oblong blade sharpened on both edges.
1993 B. Moyers Healing & Mind iv. 279 But these exercises are really more like gymnastics, literally ‘push-pull’ exercises.
2000 G. Dudley & J. Richardson Why does Policy change? i. 14 In many policy sectors in the EU, a ‘push-pull effect’ has been at work.
3. Film. Of an optical soundtrack: divided into equal parts exposed to light modulated in opposite phase.
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society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > cinematography > filming > special techniques > [adjective] > specific sound techniques
push-pull1934
non-diegetic1970
diegesis1974
1934 Jrnl. Soc. Motion Picture Engin. July 52 In addition to its inherent freedom from ground noise, the push-pull sound track has other advantages.
1959 B.S.I. News Sept. 25 Sound records and scanning area of 35 mm double width push-pull sound prints (normal and offset centreline types).
1988 D. Bordwell in D. Bordwell et al. Classical Hollywood Cinema xxiii. 301 Two firms created directional microphones..and extended the volume range with 'push-pull' sound tracks.
B. n.
A push-pull arrangement or state, esp. (Electronics) in an amplifier (frequently in in push-pull); a state of tension.In quot. 1925 referring to an arrangement of oppositely mounted propellers.
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic phenomena > processes > [noun] > input or output > specific arrangement or state
push-pull1925
1925 Science 20 Mar. p xiii/2 (advt.) ‘Hy-speed’ mixers with ‘push-pull’.
1929 Exper. Wireless June 307/1 A pair of valves, (or banks of valves), working in opposite phase, commonly called ‘Push-pull’.
1948 A. L. Albert Radio Fund. ix. 360 Radio-frequency power amplifiers often are operated in push-pull.
1962 Listener 7 June 1006/2 One could not help speculating on the strange symbiosis or state of push-pull—call it what you like—which exists between him and his age.
1975 G. J. King Audio Handbk. iv. 83 The output stages of hi-fi amplifiers employ two transistors in push-pull.
1989 New Yorker 18 Sept. 102/3 The rest of ‘Sea of Love’ is a series of variations on the push-pull of this first encounter.
1990 D. St. J. Thomas BR in Eighties (BNC) 34 A spare Class 73 locomotive converted to push-pull.
1991 Electronics World & Wireless World (BNC) Sept. 792 There were two MHL4s driving a pair of PX4s in push-pull.
2004 Vanity Fair (N.Y.) June 126/3 For Berlusconi (and cronies) the judicial system is just the push-pull of public life.
C. adv.
Electronics. In a push-pull manner.
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic phenomena > processes > [adverb] > input or output
push-pull1947
1947 R. Lee Electronic Transformers & Circuits v. 109 Operation may sometimes be improved by the use of two tubes connected push-pull.
1978 Nature 6 Apr. p. xxxiii/2 Errors existing between the DC reference and the detected signal are amplified and applied push-pull to a transverse field electro-optic light modulator.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.adv.1920