thyratron

[ thahy-ruh-tron ]
/ ˈθaɪ rəˌtrɒn /

noun Electronics.

a gas-filled, hot-cathode tube in which one or more control electrodes initiate, but do not limit and cannot interrupt, the flow of electrons.

Origin of thyratron

1925–30; < Greek thýra door + -tron

British Dictionary definitions for thyratron

thyratron
/ (ˈθaɪrəˌtrɒn) /

noun

electronics a gas-filled tube that has three electrodes and can be switched between an `off' state and an `on' state. It has been superseded, except for application involving high-power switching, by the thyristor

Word Origin for thyratron

C20: originally a trademark, from Greek thura door, valve + -tron