(electronics) An electronic circuit that converts energy from a direct-current source to a periodically varying electric output. The stage of a superheterodyne receiver that generates a radio-frequency signal of the correct frequency to mix with the incoming signal and produce the intermediate-frequency value of the receiver. The stage of a transmitter that generates the carrier frequency of the station or some fraction of the carrier frequency.
(physics) Any device (mechanical or electrical) which, in the absence of external forces, can have a periodic back- and-forth motion, the frequency determined by the properties of the oscillator.

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