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A

A

4 3.3
Unit of electric current shown as A on devices
  • noun
  • /eɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : amperio
  • Typical ultraviolet response is 0.23 A/W at 254 nm.
  • current of A
  • intensity in A
  • 120 A

Examples

  • Rated at 16 A, the Han E crimp contacts accept wire sizes up to 14 AWG maximum.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The voltage (0 to 60 V dc) and current (0 to 1.5 A dc) outputs are simultaneously or independently adjustable.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Output voltage is 40 to 270 V DC, and output current is 7 to 20 A continuous.

    Academic text (1995)
  • PDX13 handles motor currents up to 3 A; PDX15 provides up to 5 A.

    Academic text (1995)
  • An electric circuit is measured in amps, which is often abbreviated as A.

  • To ensure proper function, the motor requires a current of 5 amps or A.

  • The power consumption of the device is rated at 10 amps, indicating its current draw.

Synonyms

amp
vsA
  • Specialized
26 5.8

A unit for measuring the flow of electricity

is the symbol used to write that unit
ampere
vsA
  • Specialized
1 4.3

A unit for measuring electric current like the flow in a wire

is the symbol form used for that unit

Idioms

1.0

To a very great degree

1.0

A small amount, not very much

1.0

To a small degree or amount

1.0

For a short time

3.2

A phrase that shows someone or something is very noticeable and impressive

all of a sudden
  • Informal
987 2.7

Very quickly and without warning

768 1.0

Together in a single group

634 3.2

To some extent from a certain point of view

449 1.8

A large amount or a big saving when buying something

427 1.6

Sometimes, but not very often

378 2.2

To know many things about a subject

354 1.8

Shows that something is done a lot

To say that something is true, often when it is surprising

255 3.6

To make a big difference

240 3.5

Considering all parts together

quite a bit
  • Informal
235 2.8

A fairly large amount

198 1.0

Ask someone to wait for a very short time

180 2.4

A small amount of something you can just notice

144 1.0

A small number of things or people, usually two but sometimes a few

139 4.2

Punish someone so they learn not to do it again

to be a man
  • Informal
117 7.3

Act with courage and responsibility when facing a hard situation

of a sudden
  • Informal
116 7.1

Happens quickly and without warning

107 1.9

Handle each person or thing in turn, not all at once

It will certainly happen, but you do not know when

To help a lot or make something much better

Happens often at set times

81 2.4

To a great degree

To not know anything about a subject or situation

79 2.8

At a distance of one mile or very easy to notice

heck of a
  • Informal
77 8.1

Very impressive or very difficult

76 3.6

A natural ability to do something well

75 1.2

Ask someone to wait for a short time

72 2.3

Together, all people act or decide as one

a ton of money
  • Informal
68 2.8

A very large amount of money

like a man
  • Informal
68 7.2

Acting with courage and responsibility when facing a problem

67 1.0

In a friendly way while smiling

66 2.3

A small amount of something added to improve or change it

66 3.6

Only one thing or person like it exists

63 1.3

In any way, even the smallest amount

58 1.8

Different things put together form one thing

To describe someone or something in detail so the reader can imagine them

to ring a bell
  • Informal
57 3.5

To seem familiar and make you remember something

An amount multiplied by one hundred

being a bitch
  • Offensive
56 9.9

Treating other people in an unkind, harsh way

out on a limb
  • Informal
54 7.0

In a risky position without support from others

After a very short time

Be closely connected to something or happen because of it

52 3.2

Stop what you are doing for the evening, usually to go to bed or go home

in a heartbeat
  • Informal
50 3.2

Right away without any hesitation

49 5.2

Similar to other things of the same type but not exactly the same

46 3.0

A small extra detail that makes something look or feel better

A thing you wanted for a long time that finally happens

Compounds

1.0

A small number of people or things, more than one but not many

1.0

A small number of things or people, usually two but sometimes a few

1.0

A period that lasts much longer than usual

son of a bitch
  • Offensive
665 9.9

A rude word for a person who is cruel or very annoying

604 1.0

A large amount of money that lets you buy expensive things or do big projects

121 1.0

A group of six people or things

A time that lasts 90 minutes

a load of
  • Informal
65 1.0

A large number or amount of things

32 3.0

A very powerful weapon that splits atoms to release huge energy

29 2.0

A car you pay to use for a short time, often when traveling

Choosing one action from several options

15 5.7

Small group of the most famous or important people in an area, for example film and fashion

10 1.2

A sudden very loud noise often from an explosion or crash

Someone close to you dying, like a family member or friend

rent-a-cop
  • Offensive
9 8.9

A private security guard many people think has little authority or skill

vitamin A
  • Specialized
8 2.3

A substance in food that helps you see at night, keeps skin healthy, and helps the body fight infections

a priori
  • Formal
7 9.9

Known by reason rather than by experience

6 2.1

A small sausage wrapped in dough and baked as a snack

Pay equal to one and a half times the normal rate for overtime work

type A
  • Specialized
6 4.8

A blood group whose red blood cells have an A marker

6 5.8

Sung by voices only without instruments

A level
  • UK
6 5.4

An advanced school exam taken after two years of study, usually at age 18 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland

A battery
  • Archaic
5 7.0

A source of electricity that heats the thin wire inside old radio tubes

4 4.2

A group of the best people chosen for a difficult job

son of a whore
  • Offensive
4 9.9

A very rude name people use to show strong anger or dislike toward someone

3 6.0

A skirt or dress that is tight at the top and becomes wider towards the bottom like the letter A

rope-a-dope
  • Jargon
3 9.5

A boxing tactic of pretending to be weak to tire an opponent and outsmart them by appearing passive

hepatitis A
  • Specialized
3 4.5

A liver infection caused by a virus that spreads through contaminated food or water, usually mild

message in a bottle
  • Literature
3 5.9

A note put in a bottle and thrown into the sea to be found later

2 9.9

Feeling proud to come from the countryside and the working class in the United States

2 8.7

Small pretty objects kept for decoration or as souvenirs

2 3.7

A fixed time when a contract stays valid

1 7.2

A period of one year and one day used in law and tradition

1 5.1

A menu where each dish is ordered and priced separately

group A
  • Specialized
1 3.3

A blood type whose red blood cells have A markers

Singing without any instruments, using only voices

1 4.2

Feeling deep sadness after a pet dies

1 9.6

A very short time, like a few moments

A series of short, sharp tapping sounds like knocking on a door

being a nympho
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who has a very strong interest in sex that people think is too much

Pieces of grilled chicken on a wooden stick sold as a quick snack

chlorophyll a
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A green pigment in plants, algae, and some bacteria that absorbs light to help make food

1 9.9

A Scottish soup containing chicken and leeks, often with prunes

1 4.3

Ordering food by choosing each dish and paying for it separately

hepatitis A virus
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A virus that infects the liver and causes liver inflammation

high-muck-a-muck
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who acts very important and looks down on others

A very large man who is strong

immunoglobulin A
  • Specialized
1 6.3

An antibody mainly in the linings of the gut and airways that helps protect them from infection

A way to decide between two options by flipping a coin

whack-a-mole
  • Informal
1 9.0

A situation where new problems appear as soon as you solve one

A very large, difficult project that needs a lot of time and many people

Playing a game of crossing pretend roads and obstacles like the video game Frogger

bit of a thembo
  • Offensive
9.9

An attractive man who is not very smart

The inside of a jacket where you keep small things

botulinum toxin A
  • Specialized
6.0

A medicine made from germs that relaxes muscles to treat muscle tightness and reduce wrinkles

9.9

A lively, very clever boy who is kind and fun

captain save a hoe
  • Offensive
9.9

A man who keeps helping women in a way that is too much and makes him seem foolish and self-important

An insulting slang phrase for a person who lives as a woman but has male body parts

6.9

A printer that prints one letter or number at a time instead of a whole line

9.9

A rude gesture showing no respect by putting a thumb on the nose and wiggling the fingers

coenzyme A
  • Specialized
4.3

A small chemical in cells that helps make and break down fats, sugars, and parts of proteins

A very funny or exciting story that people enjoy

6.6

The highest power of the variable in a polynomial

degree of a term
  • Specialized
7.2

The total of the exponents of the variables in a term

9.9

A very bad chaotic situation that causes a lot of trouble

7.7

An old, large car that uses a lot of fuel and seems out of date

domain of a function
  • Specialized
7.0

All input values that give a valid output for a function

9.0

A very difficult task that needs a lot of effort

element of a cone
  • Specialized
8.5

A straight line from the top of a cone to a point on its base

6.7

A time that people enjoy very much

Removal of something that annoys or harms people, ordered by a court

a bit ouchy
  • Informal
9.9

Hurts a little, for example after a small scrape

An enzyme in the liver that helps make cholesterol

Surface Forms

A singular
As plural

Etymology

A is the symbol for the unit ampere, which is named after the scientist Ampère, and people use A as the short sign for electric 'current', so 2 A means two amperes of current.