a type of electrostatic generator with two parallel insulating discs revolving in different directions, each being in contact with a thin metal wiper that produces a charge on the disc: usually used for demonstration purposes
Word origin
C19: named after J. Wimshurst (1832–1903), English engineer
Wimshurst machine in American English
(ˈwɪmzhɜːrst)
noun
Electricity
a device for the production of electric charge by electrostatic induction, consisting of two oppositely rotating glass or mica disks carrying metal strips upon which charges are induced and subsequently removed by contact with metallic combs
Also called: Wimshurst generator
Word origin
[named after J. Wimshurst (d. 1903), English engineer]