the carborundum rod used to initiate the discharge in an ignitron tube
Word origin
[1880–85; ignite + -er1]This word is first recorded in the period 1880–85. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: automatism, barnstorm, jackpot, pari-mutuel, quotation mark-er is a suffix used in forming nouns designating persons from the object of their occupationor labor (hatter; tiler; tinner; moonshiner), or from their place of origin or abode (Icelander; southerner; villager), or designating either persons or things from some special characteristic or circumstance(six-footer; three-master; teetotaler; fiver; tenner)
Examples of 'igniter' in a sentence
igniter
This happens when an electronic igniter fails.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It includes an integrated igniter and, once open, the lid doubles as a windbreak.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Officers who stormed the bungalow after a tipoff discovered composite chemicals, magnesium ribbon and igniter cord.