transistor, n.
(trɑːnˈsɪstə(r), træn-, -nˈz-)
[Blend of transfer v. and resistor.]
1. A semiconductor device, usu. having three terminals and two junctions, in which the load current can be made to be proportional to a small input current, so that it is functionally equivalent to a valve but is much smaller and more robust, operates at lower voltages, and consumes less power and produces less heat.
| 1948 N.Y. Times 1 July 46/3 A device called a transistor, which has several applications in radio where a vacuum tube ordinarily is employed, was demonstrated for the first time yesterday. 1948 Bardeen & Brattain in Physical Rev. 15 July 230/1 (heading) The transistor, a semi-conductor triode. 1949, etc. [see junction transistor s.v. junction n. 4]. 1952 Electronic Engin. XXIV. 42 Although it is unlikely that the transistor will ultimately displace the electronic valve, there is no doubt that for many electronic applications the transistor..will be preferred because of its robust and compact form. 1953, etc. [see field-effect transistor s.v. field n. 21]. 1957 Observer 1 Sept. 9/7 A novelty now gaining respectability is small-scale radio, with tiny medium-wave sets using printed circuits, and transistors instead of valves. 1962 [see point contact s.v. point n.1 B. 14]. 1970 J. Earl Tuners & Amplifiers iv. 78 Transistors, particularly the bigger power devices, are regarded as being current-operated... Valves, on the other hand, are often regarded as voltage-operated devices. 1973 Sci. Amer. Aug. 48/1 The MOS technology produces transistors of the unipolar type in contradistinction to earlier junction transistors, which are bipolar. |
2. ellipt. = transistor radio, sense 3 below.
| 1961 Daily Tel. 13 July 12/2 Few seaside authorities are likely to risk driving away transistor-addicted visitors to other resorts. 1966 J. Betjeman High & Low 50 The endless anonymous croak of a cheap transistor Intensifies the loneliness I feel. 1977 Rep. Comm. Future of Broadcasting (Cmnd. 6753) iii. 23 Car radios and portable transistors have made radio one of the nation's major daytime diversions. |
3. Comb., as (sense 2)
transistor-addicted adj.;
transistor radio, a small portable radio having transistors and other solid-state devices in place of valves;
transistor set, a radio or television set having transistors instead of valves;
transistor-transistor logic, logic in which transistors take the place of many of the coupling resistors;
abbrev. TTL s.v. T 6 a.
| 1961 Transistor-addicted [see sense 2 above]. |
| 1958 Spectator 1 Aug. 167/2 The new miniature transistor radios. 1965 Auden About House (1966) 15 Nobody I know would like to be buried with..A transistor radio. |
| 1957 New Yorker 13 July 19/1 The kid got one of those compact transistor sets for his birthday, and is absolutely fascinated by it. 1961 Ann. Reg. 1960 451 Television became more than ever an intrinsic part of Japanese life, and transistor sets of compact size made its penetration possible everywhere. 1963 Transistor-transistor logic [see TTL s.v. T 6 a]. 1977 McGraw-Hill Yearbk. Sci. & Technol. 282/2 I2L is transistor-transistor logic (TTL) compatible. |