parasitic element

parasitic element

[¦par·ə¦sid·ik ′el·ə·mənt] (electromagnetism) An antenna element that serves as part of a directional antenna array but has no direct connection to the receiver or transmitter and reflects or reradiates the energy that reaches it, in a phase relationship such as to give the desired radiation pattern. Also known as parasitic antenna; parasitic reflector; passive element.