earth returnn.
/ˌəːθ rᵻˈtəːn/, U.S. /ˌərθ rəˈtərn/, /ˌərθ riˈtərn/ 1. An earthed return circuit, as distinguished from a metallic circuit. Frequently attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic phenomena > electronic circuit > [noun] > other electronic circuits
closed circuit1827
magnetic circuit1853
earth return1869
control circuit1892
Armstrong1916
rejector circuit1919
rejector1920
acceptor1921
biotron1921
stabilizer1924
ring modulator1936
squelch1937
load1943
multiar1946
clamp1947
integrating circuit1948
matrix1948
AND gate1959
biocircuit1963
1869 B. A. Gould Transatlantic Longitude xii. 90 The transmission time through one cable with earth-return.
1902 Encycl. Brit. XXXIII. 227/2 Steinheil of Munich..discovered the use of the earth return.
1961 M. G. Say Electr. Engineer's Ref. Bk. (ed. 10) i. 93 This network may be a simple pair of wires, or a cable, or a line with earth return.
2. Astronautics. Return to earth after having been in space. Frequently attributive.
ΚΠ
1962 Rev. Space Res. (Nat. Acad. Sci. Publ. 1079) Suppl. S-150 (caption) Lunar program spacecraft... Earth return.
1962 Boys' Life Dec. 30/2 The Service Module, with..propulsion for lunar takeoff and earth return.
2005 E. Anderson & J. Piven Space Tourist's Handbk. 57 Earth return on this spacecraft would be achieved by a wing-like parafoil parachute.
Compounds
General attributive.
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1871 Eng. Mech. 8 Sept. 627/1 Earth return currents are not practical.
1962 F. I. Ordway et al. Basic Astronautics v. 191 Later, when Earth-return vehicles become feasible, samples can be brought back.
1968 Times 23 Dec. 6/4 There is no reason in logic why it should not..eject them into an earth-return orbit.
1993 Caves & Caving Winter 12/1 Nigel Lovell demonstrated his earth-return telephone and experimented with earth-current communications.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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