rheostat

[ ree-uh-stat ]
/ ˈri əˌstæt /

noun Electricity.

an adjustable resistor so constructed that its resistance may be changed without opening the circuit in which it is connected, thereby controlling the current in the circuit.

Origin of rheostat

First recorded in 1843; rheo- + -stat

OTHER WORDS FROM rheostat

rhe·o·stat·ic, adjective

Words nearby rheostat

rheometer, rheometry, rheomorphism, rheopexy, rheoreceptor, rheostat, rheostosis, rheotaxis, rheotron, rheotropism, rhestocythemia

Example sentences from the Web for rheostat

British Dictionary definitions for rheostat

rheostat
/ (ˈriːəˌstæt) /

noun

a variable resistance, usually consisting of a coil of wire with a terminal at one end and a sliding contact that moves along the coil to tap off the current

Derived forms of rheostat

rheostatic, adjective

Scientific definitions for rheostat

rheostat
[ rē′ə-stăt′ ]

See under resistor.