Commutator

noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An electrical switch, in a generator or motor, that periodically reverses the direction of an electric current.
  2. 2
    switch for reversing the direction of an electric current wordnet
  3. 3
    A binary map in a given group G, given by [g, h] = ghg⁻¹h⁻¹, where g and h are elements of G, which yields the group's identity if and only if the group operation commutes for g and h.
  4. 4
    A binary map in a given ring R, given by [a, b] = ab − ba, where a and b are elements of R, which yields the ring's zero element if and only if the multiplication operation commutes for a and b.

Etymology

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

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