commutator
commutator Lexical Profile
commutator Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A rotary electrical switch in certain types of electric motors and generators that periodically reverses the direction of electrical current between the rotor and the external circuit.
"During routine maintenance of the direct current motor, the technician replaced the worn carbon brushes and polished the copper commutator."
A mathematical operator or element, commonly used in abstract algebra and quantum mechanics, that measures the extent to which a binary operation fails to be commutative.
"In quantum mechanics, the non-zero commutator of position and momentum operators forms the mathematical basis for the Heisenberg uncertainty principle."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Mid 19th century: from Latin 'commutare' (to exchange, interchange, or often change) combined with the agent suffix '-ator'. Initially used in early telegraphy and electrical experiments before becoming standard terminology for motor components and mathematical operators.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.