resistor
resistor Lexical Profile
resistor Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An electrical component designed to introduce a specific, known value of resistance into a circuit, used primarily to control the flow of electric current or to divide voltage.
"The engineer soldered a 10-ohm resistor onto the circuit board to prevent the LED from drawing too much current and burning out."
A person or thing that resists, opposes, or withstands a force, change, or authority (often spelled 'resister' when referring to a person).
"She was known as a fierce resistor of the authoritarian regime, organizing protests and publishing underground literature."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the electronic component, 'resistor' is the only correct spelling; however, when referring to a person who opposes or withstands something, the spelling 'resister' is traditionally preferred.
• Rhymes for resistor
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'resistere' (to stand back, withstand) combined with the agent suffix '-or'. It was adopted in the early 20th century specifically to describe the electrical component.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.