adapter
American Heritage Dictionary:
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a·dapt·er
also a·dap·tor (ə-dăp'tər) 
n.
n.
- One that adapts, such as a device used to effect operative compatibility between different parts of one or more pieces of apparatus.
- Computer Science. A hardware device, such as a printed circuit board, that enables a personal computer to use additional peripheral devices or hardware.
Fowler's Modern English Usage:
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adapter, -or
The spelling with -er is more than twice as common as that with -or in both senses of the word, although it is useful to reserve adaptor to the device and adapter to the (much less used) meaning 'a person who adapts (something or to something)'.
| adamant, ad, advert, ad hoc | |
| addenda, addle, addled, addresses |
1. A device for matching and properly connecting items, tubing, or devices (especially electric) which are of different size, operating characteristics, or design.
2. A device that enables different sizes or types of plugs, pipes, etc., to be joined.
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- any of various devices useful for joining together two or more parts, otherwise incompatible, such as electrical connectors or pieces of glassware.
- any synthetic single- or double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide useful in recombinant DNA technology for joining two incompatible cohesive ends of restriction fragments. Compare linker.
- or adaptor molecule the molecule that was postulated as carrying the amino acid to the (messenger) RNA in the adaptor hypothesis of protein synthesis, now known to be a tRNA molecule.
| adaptive immunity, adaptive, adaptin | |
| adaptor hypothesis, adaptor protein, addition |
Random House Word Menu:
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categories related to 'adapter'
- Building and Machine Parts - adapter: connector that enables different parts or devices to fit or function together
- Hardware and Supplies - adapter: any of various pieces of hardware that permit nonmatching parts to mesh, connect, or function together
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
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Adapter
For other uses, see Adapter (disambiguation).
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2007) |
An adapter or adaptor[1] is a person that adapts or a device that converts attributes of one device or system to those of an otherwise incompatible device or system.
Some adapters may only affect physical attributes:
- An electrical adapter may enable connection of a socket used in one region to a plug used in another by offering connections for the disparate contact arrangements, while not changing the voltage. For more, see: Domestic AC power plugs and sockets.
- A garden hose adapter can convert between threads and quick-release, "snap"-type connections.
- One kind of serial port adapter enables connections between 25-contact and nine-contact connectors, but does not affect electrical power- and signalling-related attributes.
Other adapters may affect electrical attributes:
- A transformer adapts household electric current from high voltage (100 to 240 volts AC) to low voltage suitable for consumer electronics. These adapters will warm through converting alternating current to direct current, but are safe to the environment and can withstand months of continuous prolonged activity.
References
- ^ Both spellings are used in both British and American English. According to all major US dictionaries (listed first below) the spelling adapter is more common in American English. Only a few UK dictionaries (listed below) consider adapter more common, most UK dictionaries - including Chambers, Collins and the OED - list adaptor first.
- "Merriam-Webster:adapter". Merriam-Webster, Inc.. 2010. Archived from the original on 21 February 2010. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adapter. Retrieved 2010-02-07. "Main Entry: adapter. Variant(s): also adaptor. 1 : one that adapts. 2 a : a device for connecting two parts (as of different diameters) of an apparatus b : an attachment for adapting apparatus for uses not originally intended"
- "Random House Dictionary:adapter". Random House, Inc.. 2010. Archived from the original on 13 February 2010. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/adapter. Retrieved 2010-02-07. "a⋅dapt⋅er –noun 1. a person or thing that adapts. 2. a connector for joining parts or devices having different sizes, designs, etc., enabling them to be fitted or to work together. 3. an accessory to convert a machine, tool, or part to a new or modified use. Also, a⋅dap⋅tor."
- "American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition:adapter". Houghton Mifflin Company. 2009. Archived from the original on 13 February 2010. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/adapter. Retrieved 2010-02-07. "a·dapt·er also a·dap·tor n. 1. One that adapts, such as a device used to effect operative compatibility between different parts of one or more pieces of apparatus. 2. Computer Science A hardware device, such as a printed circuit board, that enables a personal computer to use additional peripheral devices or hardware."
- Oxford English Dictionary (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. 1989. "adapter, -or. 1. One who adapts. a. One who fits or suits one thing to another. b. One who modifies or alters a composition to suit it to new purposes. 2. A connecting part: in Chem. a tube to connect two pieces of apparatus; in Optics, a metal ring with screw threads to unite two lengths of a telescope; a ‘sliding fitting’ in an optical instrument."
- "Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary". Cambridge University Press. 2010. http://dictionary.cambridge.org/results.asp?dict=B&searchword=adapter. Retrieved 2010-02-07. "adapter noun (DEVICE) (also adaptor) 1) mainly UK: a type of plug which makes it possible to connect two or more pieces of equipment to the same electrical supply 2) a device which is used to connect two pieces of equipment. adapter noun (WRITER) (also adaptor) a person who makes slight changes to a book, play or other piece of text so that it can be performed"
- "Macmillan English Dictionary". Macmillan Publishers Limited. 2010. http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/adapter. Retrieved 2010-04-14. "adapter noun [countable] /əˈdæptə(r)/ or adaptor an object that allows you to connect two pieces of equipment of different types or sizes a. BRITISH an object that allows you to connect several pieces of electrical equipment to one electricity supply b. an object that allows you to use electrical equipment in countries where there is a different type of electricity supply from your own"
- Oxford Dictionary. "adaptor". Compact Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/adaptor?view=uk. Retrieved 2010-02-16.
External links
The Wiktionary entry for adapter
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
Translations:
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Adapter
Dansk (Danish)
n. - adapter, transformator
Nederlands (Dutch)
adapter (elektrisch), stekkerdoos, iemand die zich aanpast
Français (French)
n. - adaptateur (qn), auteur d'une adaptation, (GB, Élec) prise multiple, raccord, (Phot) bague intermédiaire
Deutsch (German)
n. - (tech.) Adapter, Zwischenstecker
Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (ηλεκτρ.) προσαρμογέας, προσαρμοστής
Italiano (Italian)
adattatore, riduttore, raccordo
Português (Portuguese)
n. - adaptador (m), ligador (m) (Téc.)
Русский (Russian)
соединительное устройство, адаптер, тот, кто адаптирует, розетка, гнездо (тех), приспособление для соединения различных деталей в технике
Español (Spanish)
n. - adaptador, enchufe múltiple
Svenska (Swedish)
n. - adapter, bearbetare
中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
改编者, 接合器, 适配器, 接头, 转接器
中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 改編者, 接合器, 適配器, 接頭, 轉接器
한국어 (Korean)
n. - 개작자, 가감장치, 유도관
日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 適合させる人, 改作者
العربيه (Arabic)
(الاسم) أدة الربط بين جزئين, ألمكيف, ألوصله
עברית (Hebrew)
n. - מתאם, התקן התאמה, התקן המחבר התקנים או חלקים שונים זה מזה ומאפשר להם לפעול יחד, אמצעי-עזר להעברת מכונה, מכשיר, או חלק לשימוש חדש
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Copyrights:
American Heritage Dictionary
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture & Construction
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Oxford Dictionary of Biochemistry
Oxford University Press. Oxford Dictionary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology © 1997, 2000, 2006 All rights reserved.
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Random House Word Menu
© 2010 Write Brothers Inc. Word Menu is a registered trademark of the Estate of Stephen Glazier.
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Wikipedia on Answers.com
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Adapter.
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