Commutate

verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To reverse the direction of (a current). transitive

    "Continuously rated machines shall be required to commutate successfully momentary loads of 150% of the Amperes corresponding to the continuous rating keeping the rheostat set for rated load excitation."

  2. 2
    reverse the direction of (an alternating electric current) each half cycle so as to produce a unidirectional current wordnet
  3. 3
    To convert from being or using an alternating current into being or using a direct current. transitive

    "In line commutation, advantage of the a.c. supply going through zero value at every half-cycle is taken to commutate the thyristor."

  4. 4
    To commute; to be invariant under a reversal of the positions of operands. intransitive

    "The match of two finite line segments in 2 dimensions requires 2 translations, 1 rotation, 1 scale transformation; the order is here important, and these operators cannot commutate."

  5. 5
    To commute; to change one kind of payment into another, especially to convert from several installments to a single lumpsum payment. transitive

    "Ah, commutation. I knew there was something else. This is where you can commutate your weekly payments into a lump sum and be rid of the “system”."

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    To remove or reduce the legal obligations or restrictions on transitive

    "Specifically, the seminary was challenged by industrial millers who petitioned to build steam-powered mills and by large Montreal property holders who demanded that the crown commutate their lands."

  2. 7
    To transform, especially into a reversed or opposite form. transitive

    "Writers change the URIs as they compose because writers commutate and manipulate language to create a variety of rhetorical experiences that can be read at once, as overlapping, or as separate."

Etymology

Back-formation from commutation (in the late 19th century), as is commutator (noun) too.

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: commutate