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ELT

ELT

1 7.5
A device that automatically sends a distress signal from a plane or boat
  • noun
  • /ˈiːˈɛlˈtiː/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ELT
  • There's no signal from the plane's ELT.

Examples

  • Eric comes out of the back module holding two ELT pendants.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • In an emergency, the ELT automatically transmits a signal to help rescuers find the aircraft.

  • Yeah, if only we had an ELT signal.

  • We're not receiving a signal from the ELT.

  • The newer ELTs are digital.

  • Digging through it, he finds at the bottom of the bag an ELT with a small red LED flashing on it.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Eric activates the ELTs.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The pilot ensured that the ELT was functional before takeoff in case of an emergency.

  • After the crash, the ELT activated and sent out a distress signal to nearby vessels.

Surface Forms

ELT singular
ELTs plural

Morphology

ELT = E + L + T

As an acronym (standing for Emergency Locator Transmitter), the letters do not convey meaning to learners unless they know the full phrase.

Etymology

ELT: The letters in ELT come from Emergency, Locator, and Transmitter. An ELT is a device that 'sends' a distress signal so rescuers can 'locate' a plane or boat, and the name directly says its emergency job.