varactor

[ vuh-rak-ter ]
/ vəˈræk tər /

noun

a semiconductor diode whose capacitance changes to match applied voltage, used to tune circuits by varying the reactance.

Origin of varactor

1955–60; var(iable re)actor

Words nearby varactor

British Dictionary definitions for varactor

varactor
/ (ˈvɛəˌræktə) /

noun

a semiconductor diode that acts as a voltage-dependent capacitor, being operated with a reverse bias Compare varistor

Word Origin for varactor

C20: probably a blend of variable reactor