In electronics, a vacuum tube, electron tube (in North America), thermionic valve, or valve (elsewhere, especially in Britain) is a device used to amplify, switch, otherwise modify, or create an electrical signal by controlling the movement of electrons in a low-pressure space.
Archive for June, 2009
Vacuum tube – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
June 30, 2009Integrated circuit – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
June 30, 2009Integrated circuits were made possible by experimental discoveries which showed that semiconductor devices could perform the functions of vacuum tubes…is a miniaturized electronic circuit…used in almost all electronic equipment in use today and have revolutionized the world of electronics.
Interchangeable parts – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
June 30, 2009Before the 18th century, devices such as guns were made one at a time by gunsmiths, and each gun was unique. If one single component of a weapon needed a replacement, the entire weapon either had to be sent back to an expert gunsmith to make custom repairs or discarded and replaced by another weapon. During the 18th century, the idea of replacing these methods with a system of interchangeable manufacture was gradually developed. Interchangeability allows easy assembly of new devices, or easy repair of existing devices, while minimizing (1) the time required and (2) the amount of skill required in the person doing the assembly or repair.
strait-laced – definition of strait-laced by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
June 30, 2009strait-laced or straight-laced (strtlst)
adj.
1. Excessively strict in behavior, morality, or opinions.
2. Having or wearing a tightly laced garment.
via strait-laced – definition of strait-laced by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
voluminous definition | Dictionary.com
June 30, 2009vo⋅lu⋅mi⋅nous
–adjective
1. forming, filling, or writing a large volume or many volumes: a voluminous edition.
2. sufficient to fill a volume or volumes: a voluminous correspondence.
3. of great volume, size, or extent: voluminous flow of lava.
4. of ample size, extent, or fullness: voluminous petticoats.
5. having many coils, convolutions, or windings.
disparate definition | Dictionary.com
June 30, 2009dis⋅pa⋅rate
–adjective
distinct in kind; essentially different; dissimilar: disparate ideas.
via disparate definition | Dictionary.com.
The city eventually decided not to use the exam to determine promotions. It said it acted because it might have been vulnerable to claims that the exam had a “disparate impact” on minorities in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
facetious definition | Dictionary.com
June 29, 2009fa⋅ce⋅tious
–adjective
1. not meant to be taken seriously or literally: a facetious remark.
2. amusing; humorous.
3. lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous: a facetious person.
ostensibly definition | Dictionary.com
June 28, 2009os⋅ten⋅si⋅ble
adjective
1. outwardly appearing as such; professed; pretended: an ostensible cheerfulness concealing sadness
.2. apparent, evident, or conspicuous: the ostensible truth of their theories
Ostensibly doing X, but really doing Y.
Throes Definition | Definition of Throes at Dictionary.com
June 27, 2009throe
–noun
1.a violent spasm or pang; paroxysm.
2.a sharp attack of emotion.
3.throes,
a.any violent convulsion or struggle: the throes of battle.
b.the agony of death.
c.the pains of childbirth.
—Synonyms
3a. upheaval, tumult, chaos, turmoil.
via Throes Definition | Definition of Throes at Dictionary.com.
A country in the throes of economic collapse.
candor definition | Dictionary.com
June 27, 2009can⋅dor
–noun
1.the state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression; candidness: The candor of the speech impressed the audience.
2.freedom from bias; fairness; impartiality: to consider an issue with candor.
via candor definition | Dictionary.com.
He believes in candor.
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