variometern.
/ˌvɛːrɪˈɒmᵻtə/, U.S. /ˌvɛriˈɑmədər/ 1. An instrument for measuring variations in the intensity of the earth's magnetic field.
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1889 in Cent. Dict.
1916 Proc. Royal Soc. 1915–16 A. 92 321 There can be no question of the enormous simplification of the field work which such a portable variometer produces.
1972 Nature Physical Sci. 25 Dec. 184/2 Telluric recording equipment was operated in conjunction with a magnetic variometer array.
2. (a) An inductor (inductor n. 3d) whose total inductance can be varied by altering the relative position of two coaxial coils connected in series, and can thus be used to tune a circuit. (b) A device achieving a similar function by means of permeability tuning.
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic devices or components > [noun] > device for tuning circuit
variometer1908
slug1957
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic devices or components > [noun] > inductance coil
inductance coil1902
inductance1908
variometer1908
honeycomb coil1921
inductor1928
hum-bucking coil1940
1908 C. C. F. Monckton Radio-telegr. xv. 255 The antenna and the receiving circuit are tuned to the incoming oscillations by means of the variometer.
1921 Wireless World 9 6/1 For amateur use the variometer has the advantage that it is cheap compared with a variable condenser.
1926 ‘R. Keverne’ Carteret's Cure vii. 168 Mr. Pell turned to the listening set and picked up the head-phones while his fingers played deftly with the variometer.
1959 K. Henney Radio Engin. Handbk. (ed. 5) iii. 14 Another form [of variable inductor], which is rather bulky..and now little used, is the variometer... Much more common is the variation of inductance through the variation of the permeability of the core.
1977 Elektor Mar. 22/1 The variometer is an updated version of the old permeability tuners.
3. An instrument for indicating the rate of climb or descent of an aircraft.
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society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > parts of aircraft > controls and instruments > [noun] > meters for types of motion
yawmeter1921
variometer1924
barometric altimeter1930
pitch meter1947
1924 Sci. Amer. Feb. 83/2 Air speed indicator... Turn indicator... Variometer.
1930 Startup & Kinnear tr. Stamer & Lippisch's Gliding & Sail-Planing x. 111 An instrument called a variometer exists for the purpose of indicating ascent and descent and is much used in balloons.
1969 Daily Tel. 21 Nov. (Colour Suppl.) 64/2 A variometer can confuse you; you might be going down in a rising thermal, so it's no good just knowing how you are doing relative to the air you're in.
1973 Q. Jrnl. Royal Meteorol. Soc. 99 768 Height changes give a check on the calibration of the variometer.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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