dipped-beam headlamp
- noun
- /dɪpt bim ˈhɛdˌlæmp/
- UK
:
faros de cruce
- The car's dipped-beam headlamps automatically switch on when it detects another vehicle ahead.
Examples
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Always use your dipped-beam headlamp when driving at night to avoid blinding other drivers.
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Make sure your dipped-beam headlamp is working properly before driving in foggy conditions.
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Always use your dipped-beam headlamp when driving at night in city traffic.
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Always use your dipped-beam headlamp in foggy conditions.
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The car's dipped-beam headlamp illuminated the road ahead.
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Make sure your dipped-beam headlamp is functioning well before driving in poor visibility.
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The vehicle's dipped-beam headlamp is designed to provide a clear view without causing glare.
Synonyms
1
3.7
A headlight setting that lights the road without blinding other drivers
A light setting that lights the road ahead without blinding other drivers
A light on a car that makes a low beam to light the road without hurting other drivers' eyes
A headlight setting that lights the road without blinding other drivers
How Bright
Surface Forms
Morphology
dipped-beam + headlamp
The phrase combines clearly interpretable parts: 'dipped' (lowered) + 'beam' (a light ray) modifying 'headlamp', so the overall meaning 'a headlamp set to a lowered/low beam' is directly derivable from the constituents. This is a compositional, technical compound equivalent to 'low beam' in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the component words should be able to infer the meaning.
Etymology
The term dipped-beam headlamp comes from the old action of 'dipping' the lights, so the beam points down and does not blind other drivers. That's why a dipped-beam headlamp is the 'low beam' you use to light the road without causing 'glare'.