generator
English meaning: Generator
Definition
A machine that produces electricity, often by turning mechanical movement into electrical energy.
Example
“During the storm, the hospital switched to its backup generator to keep all the machines running.”
Another example: “During the storm the hospital switched to its back-up generator.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A countable noun with two senses: a machine producing electricity (back-up generator), and software/tools that produce something (random number generator, name generator). Used attributively (generator engine).
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'generare' (to produce, beget), plus the suffix '-or' meaning a doer.
Related Words
- alternator
- armature
- turbine
- transformer
- rotor
- voltage
- polynomial
- traction
- electricity
- pulse
- generating
- electrical
Common Collocations
- electric generator
- back-up generator
- diesel generator
- power generator
- random number generator
- portable generator
Word Forms
generator (n); generators (pl); generate (v); generated; generating
Word Tools
Tools & Calculators
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B