an electric motor capable of working on either direct current or single-phase alternating current at approximately the same speed and output
universal motor in American English
noun
a series-wound motor, of one-half horsepower or less, using alternating or direct current
Word origin
[1920–25]This word is first recorded in the period 1920–25. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Unknown Soldier, audio, ski jump, slalom, zipper
Examples of 'universal motor' in a sentence
universal motor
Our method of evaluating such adaptation at any time should be utilized as a prerequisite for understanding universal motor control.
Keisuke Fujii, Yuki Yoshihara, Hiroko Tanabe, Yuji Yamamoto 2017, 'Switching Adaptability in Human-Inspired Sidesteps: A Minimal Model', Frontiers in Human Neurosciencehttp://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00298/full. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)