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Glite Dictionary
varactor

varactor

9.9
An electronic part whose ability to hold electric charge changes with voltage used to tune circuits
  • noun
  • /ˈværæktər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : varactor
  • The engineer explained how a varactor changes capacitance with varying voltage to improve signal quality.

Examples

  • The 3022 series of high-ratio, hyper-abrupt, varactor tuning diodes from Knox Semiconductor was designed to control crystal oscillator frequency with a DC-bias voltage.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Varactor Tuning Diodes

    Academic text (2002)

  • A varactor is used in radio frequency applications to adjust the tuning of circuits.

  • In many modern tuners, a varactor allows precise control over frequency selection.

Surface Forms

varactor singular
varactors plural

Morphology

varactor = variable + capacitor (semi-transparent) = var + actor

The term is a technical blend referring to a component with variable capacitance (variable + capacitor), but the surface form 'varactor' is not obvious to general learners without technical knowledge.

Etymology

Varactor joins var- 'variable' and part of reactance or reactor, words about how a circuit reacts to electricity, so it names a device whose ability to 'store electric charge' can change with voltage. That's why a varactor is a diode used to tune radios and other circuits.