thermionic vacuum tube
- noun
- /ˌθɜrˈmiːɒnɪk ˈvækjuːm tuːb/
- Archaic
- Early radios relied on the thermionic vacuum tube to amplify weak electrical signals.
Examples
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Many audio enthusiasts believe that thermionic vacuum tubes produce a warmer sound than modern electronics.
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The invention of the thermionic vacuum tube revolutionized long-distance telephone communication.
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The thermionic vacuum tube is essential in many old radios.
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Are thermionic vacuum tubes still used in modern electronics?
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Early radios relied on the thermionic vacuum tube to amplify weak electrical signals.
-
Many audio enthusiasts believe that thermionic vacuum tubes produce a warmer sound than modern electronics.
-
The invention of the thermionic vacuum tube revolutionized long-distance telephone communication.
Synonyms
7
5.3
A glass or metal tube with empty space inside that controls electricity
6
8.8
An old glass part used in radios and sound equipment to make sound louder
1
9.9
An electronic device in a sealed glass tube that controls electric current in old radios
1
6.9
A glass or metal device that controls electric current in old radios and televisions
1
9.8
A glass or metal device that controls the flow of electricity in old radios and machines
Surface Forms
Morphology
thermionic + vacuum + tube
The term is fully compositional: 'thermionic' specifies the type of electron emission, and 'vacuum tube' denotes an evacuated electronic device, so together they mean a vacuum tube that operates by thermionic emission. Although technical, this modifier + noun combination follows regular English compounding patterns and would be understandable to a learner who knows the constituent words.
Etymology
Thermionic vacuum tube comes from its parts: thermionic means using 'heat' to push electrons out, vacuum means a space with 'no air', and tube is a sealed glass container. So the name describes a device where 'heat' makes 'electricity' flow inside an empty tube.