metal detectorn.
/ˈmɛtl dᵻˌtɛktə/, U.S. /ˈmɛdl dəˌtɛktər/ Any of various electronic instruments for detecting the presence of metallic objects by means of their effects on an electromagnetic field; spec. (a) a portable device with a search head that is swept over the ground to locate buried metal objects; (b) a hand-held or walk-through security device for locating concealed weapons, etc.; (c) a device for checking for the presence of extraneous pieces of metal in food.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > instrument for detection > [noun] > electronic
metal detector1924
tracer1972
1924 Lincoln (Nebraska) State Jrnl. 28 May 10/1 The expedition carried all necessary working implements, including a metal detector, an invention of a Vancouver man. The detector was truthful in pointing to metal, great masses of which were uncovered.
1946 Wireless World Dec. 402/1 (caption) ‘Cintel’ metal detector, an adaptation of the wartime mine detector produced by Cinema-Television Ltd... It is claimed to locate accurately..pipes, etc. buried..below the surface.
1964 Amer. Hist. Rev. 69 1167 In his research, Mr. Vaughn used all written and oral sources, even employing a metal detector to locate the exact battle sites.
1971 B. St. J. Wilkes Naut. Archaeol. vi. 120 Metal detectors are sold quite extensively in the US and Canada to amateur ‘prospectors’ to aid their hunt for gold.
1975 Guardian 1 Oct. 2/1 Chicago police will be using hand-held metal detectors on all crowds who come near President Ford.
1984 D. Lodge Small World ii. i. 103 He passes through the electronic metal detector, first handing over his spectacle case.
1991 Treasure Hunting Oct. 51 I moved forward a few paces, switched on my metal detector and started swinging it in an arc before me.
1997 Bakers' Rev. June 16/4 It is very advisable to pass products through a sensitive metal detector.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1924