pulsarn.
/ˈpʌlsɑː/, U.S. /ˈpəlˌsɑr/ 1. Astronomy. A celestial object which emits regular and rapid pulses of radiation, typically at radio frequencies but sometimes at X-ray or gamma frequencies, and is now recognized as a rapidly rotating neutron star.In quot. 1973 figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > star > kind of star > small star > [noun] > dwarf > neutron star
neutron star1934
pulsar1968
pulsator1977
magnetar1992
1968 A. Michaelis in Daily Tel. 5 Mar. 21/3 An entirely novel kind of star..came to light on Aug. 6 last year and..was referred to by astronomers as LGM (Little Green Men). Now..it is thought to be a novel type between a white dwarf and a neutron [sic]. The name Pulsar (Pulsating Star) is likely to be given to it... Dr. A. Hewish..told me yesterday: ‘..I am sure that today every radio telescope is looking at the Pulsars.’
1969 G. Fritz et al. in Science 9 May 709/1 We wish to report the discovery of an x-ray pulsar in the general direction of the Crab Nebula.
1973 L. M. Boston Memory in House xi. 132 Oscar is a pulsar, an output of concentrated energy.
1990 J. Gribbin & M. Rees Cosmic Coincidences (1991) viii. 211 The fastest pulsars spin once every few milliseconds.
1993 V. Milan From Depths ii. 36 The ship was actually making a side trip to do a close-range study of a pulsar twenty-five light-years distant.
2004 B. Bunch & A. Hellemans Hist. Sci. Tech. 714/3 Astronomers expect to detect gravity waves caused by infalling matter on binary neutron stars, certain kinds of pulsars, or even background radiation from the big bang.
2. Also with capital initial. A type of digital wristwatch having a light-emitting diode display, manufactured esp. in the 1970s.A proprietary name in the United States.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > particular types of watch
German watch1611
larum watch1619
clock-watch1625
minute watch1660
pendulum watch1664
watch1666
alarm watch1669
finger watch1679
string-watch1686
scout1688
balance-watch1690
hour-watch1697
warming-pan1699
minute pendulum watch1705
jewel watch1711
suit1718
repeater1725
Tompion1727
pendulum spring1728
second-watch1755
Geneva watch1756
cylinder-watch1765
watch-paper1777
ring watch1788
verge watch1792
watch lamp1823
hack1827
bull's-eye1833
vertical watch1838
quarter-repeater1840
turnip1840
hunting-watch1843
minute repeater1843
hunter1851
job watch1851
Geneva1852
watch-lining1856
touch watch1860
musical watch1864
lever1865
neep1866
verge1871
independent seconds watch1875
stem-winder1875
demi-hunter1884
fob-watch1884
three-quarter plate1884
wrist-watch1897
turnip-watch1898
sedan-chair watch1904
Rolex1922
Tank watch1923
strap watch1926
chatelaine watch1936
sedan clock1950
quartz watch1969
pulsar1970
1970 N.Y. Times 7 May 77/5 The new watch, called Pulsar, ‘is the world's first truly electronic portable timepiece’.
1970 Daily Tel. 14 May 13/7 Production is expected to begin next year, but at first pulsars will be sold in a limited edition at $1,500.
1977 R. E. Harrington Quintain iii. 21 He flipped his wrist and the pulsar wristwatch winked on.
1979 G. Swarthout Skeletons 69 I punched my Pulsar. Two minutes past nine p.m.
2000 Brit. Jrnl. Hist. Sci. 33 492 On 6 May 1970 a press conference in New York announced the Pulsar to the world. No dial and hands for this space-age gadget. Red numbers flashed the time at the push of a button.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1968