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Glite Dictionary
DC motor

DC motor

1 3.9
A machine that uses electricity from a battery to make parts turn
  • noun
  • /diː siː ˈmoʊtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : motor de corriente continua
  • In addition to offering the advantages of a brushless DC motor design, this 12-volt, high-efficiency brushless DC motor has been designed with efficiency as a major consideration.
  • brushless DC motor
  • brushed DC motor
  • electronically controlled DC motor

Examples

  • Power is transmitted to a DC motor that drives the wheels through a 4-speed automatic transmission.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The DC motor versions come with a closed-loop, high-resolution encoder that allows a minimum incremental motion of 50 nm.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Edison's system still had the upper hand, however, because of the DC motor.

    Academic text (2006)

  • The other option is to install brushless DC motors.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Home conversions often use DC motors that require new brushes after some miles.

    Blog text (17)

  • The Micro Mouse itself weighs 4 pounds and is driven by 2 DC motors.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Mechanically commutated DC motors use brushes, which is what the KitchenAid motors use.

    Blog text (6)

  • The robotic arm was precisely controlled by a DC motor that ensured accurate movements.

  • Home appliances like electric fans often use a DC motor for effective energy conversion.

  • The toy car zoomed across the floor thanks to its powerful DC motor that provided smooth acceleration.

Synonyms

motor
vsDC motor
256 2.7

A machine that uses electricity or fuel to make things move

is restricted to electrical power and excludes fuel or other energies
electric motor
vsDC motor
10 3.4

A machine that uses electricity to make parts move

is powered only by direct current rather than any electrical source

How Regulated

synchronous motor
  • Specialized
1 6.3
shunt DC motor
  • Specialized
6.7
DC motor
  • Specialized
1 3.9

Surface Forms

DC motor singular
DC motors plural

Morphology

DC + motor

The meaning 'an electric motor powered by direct current' is directly and compositionally derived from 'DC' (direct current) + 'motor' (a device converting electrical energy into motion). This modifier+noun pattern is straightforward and common in technical vocabulary and across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand the MWE.

Etymology

DC motor comes from the letters DC, short for 'direct current', and motor, a machine that makes things move. Imagine a steady flow of electricity from a battery turning a wheel — this picture helps you remember that a DC motor is a motor that runs on 'direct current' and turns electric power into motion.