alternator (n.)

1878, agent noun in Latin form from alternate (v.).

Entries linking to alternator

1590s, "do by turns" (transitive), from Latin alternatus, past participle of alternare "do one thing and then another, do by turns," from alternus "one after the other, alternate, in turns, reciprocal," from alter "the other" (see alter). Replaced Middle English alternen "to vary, alternate" (early 15c.). Transitive meaning "interchange reciprocally" is from 1850; intransitive sense "follow one another in time or place" is from c. 1700; that of "pass back and forth between actions, conditions, etc." is by 1823. Related: Alternated; alternating.

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Definitions of alternator

alternator (n.)

an old term for an electric generator that produces alternating current (especially in automobiles);

From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near alternator

alternate

alternately

alternating

alternation

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although

alti-

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altimetry

altitude