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insulator

 
Dictionary: in·su·la·tor   (ĭn'sə-lā'tər, ĭns'yə-) pronunciation
n.
  1. A material that insulates, especially a nonconductor of sound, heat, or electricity.
  2. A device that insulates.

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Substance that blocks or retards the flow of electric current or heat. An insulator is a poor conductor because it has a high resistance to such flow. Electrical insulators are commonly used to hold conductors in place, separating them from one another and from surrounding structures to form a barrier between energized parts of an electric circuit and confine the flow of current to wires or other conducting paths. Electrical insulators include rubber, plastic, porcelain, and mica. Thermal insulators. which break up the heat-flow path by absorbing radiant heat, include fiberglass, cork, and rock wool.

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Modern Science: insulator
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insulator

A material that does not easily transmit energy, such as electric current or heat. Materials such as wood, plastic, and ceramics are insulators. Fiberglass is an example of a heat insulator. (Compare conductor.)

A material that does not conduct electricity. Contrast with conductor.

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Architecture: electrical insulator
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A component or device made from material having great enough resistance to the flow of electric current to be effectively considered as a nonconductor of current.


Word Tutor: insulator
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pronunciation

IN BRIEF: Anything that slows or stops the flow of electricity, heat, or sound.

pronunciation It is amazing that shredded paper makes a good insulator against the cold.

Translations: Insulator
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Dansk (Danish)
n. - isolator, isolerbånd

Nederlands (Dutch)
isolator, isolatie(middel)

Français (French)
n. - (Élec, Constr) isolant, isolateur

Deutsch (German)
n. - Isolator

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (ηλεκτρ.) μονωτήρας (αγωγού)

Italiano (Italian)
isolante

Português (Portuguese)
n. - isolador (m) (Eletr.)

Русский (Russian)
изолятор, диэлектрик

Español (Spanish)
n. - aislante, aislador

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - isolator (fys. el. tekn.)

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
绝缘体, 绝热器

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 絕緣體, 絕熱器

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 격리자, 절연체, 뚱딴지

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 絶縁体, 絶縁器, 碍子

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) العازل ( وبخاصه الكهربائي)‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮מבדד‬


 
 
Learn More
standoff insulator
surface leakage (electricity)
feedthrough terminal (electricity)

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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.  Read more
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Modern Science. The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Second Edition, Revised and updated Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Copyright © 1993 by Houghton Mifflin Company . All rights reserved.  Read more
Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. THIS COPYRIGHTED DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.
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