potentiometer

[puh-ten-shee-om-i-ter] /pəˌtɛn ʃiˈɒm ɪ tər/
noun, Electricity
1.
a device for measuring electromotive force or potential difference by comparison with a known voltage.
Origin
1880-85; potenti(al) + -o- + -meter
Related forms
potentiometric
[puh-ten-shee-uh-me-trik] /pəˌtɛn ʃi əˈmɛ trɪk/ (Show IPA),
adjective
Examples from the web for potentiometer
  • Jumps or other inconsistencies indicate that the azimuth potentiometer has bad or worn spots.
  • Wires are of two uniaxial load cells and a string potentiometer.
  • Connect the potentiometer to an appropriate thermocouple and insert the thermocouple in a beaker of boiling water.
British Dictionary definitions for potentiometer

potentiometer

/pəˌtɛnʃɪˈɒmɪtə/
noun
1.
an instrument for determining a potential difference or electromotive force by measuring the fraction of it that balances a standard electromotive force
2.
a device with three terminals, two of which are connected to a resistance wire and the third to a brush moving along the wire, so that a variable potential can be tapped off: used in electronic circuits, esp as a volume control
Sometimes shortened to pot
Derived Forms
potentiometry, noun
Word Origin and History for potentiometer
n.

1868, a hybrid formed from comb. form of Latin potentia "power" (see potential) + Greek-derived -meter.

potentiometer in Science
potentiometer
  (pə-těn'shē-ŏm'ĭ-tər)   
  1. A mechanical variable resistor. See more at resistor.

  2. An instrument for measuring an unknown voltage by comparison with a known voltage, such as that of a generator.