Oscillator

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  oscillator \os"cil*la`tor\ ([o^]s"s[i^]l*l[=a]`t[~e]r), n.
     1. One that oscillates; specif.: (Electronics) Any device or
        circuit for producing electric oscillations, whether of
        current or voltage; esp., an apparatus for generating
        electric waves in a system of wireless telegraphy.
  


     Note: Oscillators are essential components of radio
           transmission devices and digital computers, as well as
           many other types of electronic device. In computers the
           oscillator provides the voltage impulses which permit
           information bits to be transferred between parts of the
           computer in a defined sequence.
           [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
  
     2. (Mech.) An instrument for measuring rigidity by the
        torsional oscillations of a weighted wire.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  oscillator
       n : generator that produces sonic oscillations or alternating
           current