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Glite Dictionary
primary coil

primary coil

6.2
A loop of wire where changing electric current makes a magnetic field that creates current in a nearby loop
  • noun
  • /ˈpraɪˌmɛri kɔɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bobina primaria
  • The technician measured the voltage across the primary coil to ensure it was functioning correctly.

Examples

  • In a transformer, electricity flows into the primary coil to create a magnetic field.

  • To increase efficiency, the engineer adjusted the number of turns in the primary coil.

  • - Cut primary coils.

    Forbidden Planet (1956)

  • Cut primary coils.

    Halloween (1978)

  • The eddy currents modify the magnetic coupling between the primary coil and the secondary microcoils.

    Academic text (1997)

Synonyms

primary
vsprimary coil
  • Specialized
3 9.2

A coil that makes electric current in another coil

is the full phrase form of the same coil name
primary winding
vsprimary coil
  • Specialized
7.0

A coil that receives input electricity and causes a changing current in the secondary coil

focuses on the magnetic field that induces current in the nearby coil

Surface Forms

primary coil singular
primary coils plural

Morphology

primary + coil

The meaning is directly compositional: 'primary' = main or first (here: input) and 'coil' = a wound wire, so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to the main/input coil in a transformer. The modifier+noun pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, so despite being technical, it is transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

The term primary coil comes from early electric devices: primary means 'first' or 'main' and a coil is a loop of wire. When electric current goes through the primary coil, it makes an invisible magnetic field that makes a nearby coil produce electricity, so the name shows its job as the coil that starts the transfer of energy.