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Glite Dictionary
selsyn

selsyn

9.9
A system that makes one part turn to match another using electric signals
  • noun
  • /ˈsɛlˌsɪn/
  • Archaic
translation icon : selsyn
  • We used a selsyn to send position signals from the rotating machinery to the control panel.

Examples

  • The selsyn system ensures that the motor's angle precisely matches that of the generator.

  • "As far as movie theaters are concerned, the very best 3D used two projectors locked in time with each other by devices called selsyn motors," says projectionist Dan Whitehead.

    Blog text (8)

  • By employing a selsyn mechanism, the operator could remotely monitor the angular position of the equipment.

Synonyms

synchro
vsselsyn
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A device that makes one part move exactly like another to show exact position

focuses on sending exact angular position signals electrically rather than general synchronization

Surface Forms

selsyn singular
selsyns plural

Morphology

selsyn = self (opaque) = sel + syn

The form is a clipped/blended contraction related to 'self' + 'synchronous' (self‑synchronous), making the morphological relation visible, though the technical device meaning requires domain knowledge.

Etymology

Selsyn comes from the parts self and synchronize, where self means 'itself' and synchronize means 'to move together'. So a selsyn is a device that makes one part copy another part's position so both move together.