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Glite Dictionary
choke coil

choke coil

7.7
A coil that lets direct current pass but reduces alternating current in a circuit
  • noun
  • /tʃoʊk kɔɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bobina de choque
  • In the circuit, the choke coil effectively allows direct current to flow while blocking alternating current.

Examples

  • The engineer recommended using a choke coil to minimize interference in the power supply.

  • We installed a choke coil to improve the performance of the electrical system by stabilizing the current.

  • I have a reasonably large amount of precision resistors, capacitors, a few choke coils, etc. in a wide range of values from the approximate era of the Ampex equipment you are using.

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Synonyms

choke
vschoke coil
  • Specialized
1 9.4

A coil in a circuit that blocks alternating current but lets direct current pass

has the same function but uses the compound technical name
choking coil
vschoke coil
  • Specialized
8.8

A coil used in circuits that lets direct current pass but reduces alternating current

is the same but stresses mild attenuation rather than strong blocking

Surface Forms

choke coil singular
choke coils plural

Morphology

choke + coil

The meaning is directly compositional: 'choke' (an inductor that impedes alternating current) combined with 'coil' (a wound wire component) yields a coil used to 'choke' or block AC while allowing DC. There is no idiomatic or metaphorical shift, so a learner who knows both constituent senses can infer the MWE's technical function.

Etymology

Choke coil comes from a simple image: a coil (a wire wound in loops) that chokes (blocks) fast, changing electricity called 'alternating current', while letting steady electricity pass. That's why a choke coil means a coil used to reduce or block 'alternating current' in a circuit.