device | Search Online Etymology Dictionary

277 entries found.

"device which stores electricity," 1926, from capacity, in reference to electrical conductors, with Latinate agent-noun ending.

pager (n.)

"device that emits a signal when activated by a telephone call," 1968, agent noun from page (v.1).

transformer (n.)

c. 1600, "one who or that which transforms," agent noun from transform (v.). Meaning "device to reduce electrical currents" is from 1882.

sandbox (n.)

also sand-box, 1570s as a perforated device to sprinkle sand, from sand (n.) + box (n.1). From 1680s as "a box holding sand." In U.S. locomotives, "a device to put sand on the rails when wet wheels slip" (by 1849). By 1891 as a low-sided sand-pit for children's play.

dehumidifier (n.)

"device for removing humidity from the air," 1909, agent noun from dehumidify (1908); see de- + humidify.

latch (n.)

"device for catching and retaining," especially "a fastening for a door," late 13c., probably from latch (v.).

separator (n.)

c. 1600, "separatist," agent noun from separate (v.). As a mechanical device for separating, from 1831.

compactor (n.)

1590s, "one who puts together," agent noun from compact (v.1). From 1947 as "device for compacting."

regulator (n.)

1650s, "one who regulates" in any sense, agent noun in Latin form from regulate. In English history from 1680s; in American history from 1767, applied to local posses that kept order (or disturbed it) in rural regions. From 1702 as "device for controlling machinery in motion;" the specific sense of "mechanical device or clock used to set the time of other pieces" is from 1758.

MIDI

"device for connecting computers and electronic musical instruments," 1983, acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface.

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