▪ I. sensor, a.
(ˈsɛnsɔː(r))
[irreg. shortened f. sensory, after motor.]
= sensory.
| 1865 Tyndall Fragm. Sci. (1879) I. xxi. 492 The transmission of intelligence through the sensor nerves. 1875 W. K. Clifford Lect. (1879) II. 108 Various combinations of disturbances in the sensor tract are made to lead to the appropriate combinations of disturbances in the motor tract. |
▪ II. sensor, n.
(ˈsɛnsə(r))
[f. the adj. or f. sense v. + -or.]
A device giving a signal for the detection or measurement of a physical property to which it responds.
| 1958 New Scientist 10 Apr. 22/2 The ‘sensor’ is a small cylinder enclosed in a bigger cylinder full of silicone fluid and set on bearings which allow it to turn. 1958 Guided Missiles (U.S. Dept. of the Air Force) vi. 273/1 Pickoffs include any of the devices that are used to transfer the energy received at the sensor to the following detecting and amplifying stage. 1963 Ann. Reg. 1962 401 Infra-red sensors designed to detect rocket launchings. 1969 New Yorker 12 Apr. 104/2 Inside his space suit, the astronaut has a number of sensors that report on the state of his health. 1975 Sci. Amer. July 108/2 A repellent acts in one way on the carbon dioxide sensor and in a different way on the moisture sensor. 1976 Early Music July 351/3 Its sensor passes over the object to be copied thousands of times in different directions, and passes this information to cutting heads. 1977 Navy News Aug. 32/1 Vast improvements in propulsion, sensor systems and weapons..have placed great demands on training facilities. 1980 Sunday Express 19 Oct. 27 Every Metro has brake pad wear sensors to tell you when to change the brake pads. |
▪ III. sensor
obs. form of censer n.1, censor.