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Commutator
noun
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An electrical switch, in a generator or motor, that periodically reverses the direction of an electric current.
- 2 switch for reversing the direction of an electric current wordnet
- 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 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.
See also for "commutator"
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Unscramble this word: commutator