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Glite Dictionary
nichrome

nichrome

9.9
A metal wire that can stand high heat and is used to make heaters
  • noun
  • /ˈnaɪkroʊm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : nichrome
  • The nichrome wire is essential for generating heat in various electrical appliances.
  • nichrome wire

Examples

  • When the current passes through the nichrome wire, it heats up quickly due to its high electrical resistance.

  • Simultaneously, the foot pedal was depressed, which generated the energy output through the Nichrome wire for both cutting and coagulating the tissue.

    Academic text (2008)

  • The surgeon then activates the heating of the Nichrome wire by depressing an adjustable foot pedal.

    Academic text (2008)

  • The technique involves the simultaneous application of pressure and a heated nickel-chromium (nichrome) wire to achieve tissue division and vessel occlusion.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Many toasters use nichrome as a heating element because it can withstand high temperatures.

How Heat-Resistant

ceramic
34 3.7
tungsten
  • Specialized
11 7.2
nichrome
  • Specialized
9.9
steel
536 1.4
to copper
1 8.4
aluminum
  • US
143 2.6

Surface Forms

nichrome singular
nichromes plural

Morphology

nichrome = nickel + chrome (semi-transparent) = ni + chrome

The word is recognizably built from clipped forms referring to nickel and chromium, but the exact meaning as a particular heat-resistant alloy is more specific than the parts alone suggest.

Etymology

Nichrome is formed from the names of the two metals nickel and chrome (from the metal chromium), so its name is a 'mix' of those words. That's why nichrome means a metal made from those two metals used for heating wires: the combination resists electricity and stays strong at high temperatures.