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Glite Dictionary
spark transmitter

spark transmitter

9.9
An early machine that sent radio signals using electric sparks
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : transmisor de chispa
  • In the early 20th century, the spark transmitter was crucial for long-distance radio communications.

Examples

  • So Cyril Elwell wanted to improve on the spark transmitter which was being used.

  • Engineers experimented with different materials to enhance the performance of the spark transmitter.

  • The inventor showcased his new design for a spark transmitter that operated more efficiently than previous models.

Surface Forms

spark transmitter singular
spark transmitters plural

Morphology

spark + transmitter

The meaning is directly and transparently compositional: a 'transmitter' that uses 'sparks' as its operating principle, so a learner who knows both words can infer it is a type of transmitter powered by or employing electric sparks. This is a regular noun–noun compound following productive word-formation patterns (and parallels exist in other languages), not an idiom or metaphorical shift.

Etymology

Spark transmitter comes from the simple image of a device where a bright spark jumps across a gap to make radio signals. Because the real machine used those visible sparks to send messages, the name now means 'an early kind of radio transmitter'.