Industrial and trades terminology · MLC-0113

Industrial and trades terms: A (356)

• A batteryThe low-voltage battery that heats the filaments of vacuum tubes in battery-powered radios and similar...
• A1A-A1AA wheel arrangement classification for locomotives, denoting two bogies, each with three axles, where the...
• A3A class of steam locomotives designed by Sir Nigel Gresley for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) in...
• A4A class of express passenger steam locomotives designed by Sir Nigel Gresley for the London and North Eastern...
• AAAn abbreviation for the Automobile Association, a British motoring organization that provides roadside...
• AALA protocol layer within the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) standard that links higher-level services to the...
• AAL2An ATM Adaptation Layer type for connection-oriented services with variable bit rate and a timing...
• AAL5An ATM Adaptation Layer type for connection-oriented, variable bit rate data services that segments each...
• AARAn abbreviation for the Association of American Railroads, a trade group representing the major freight...
• AAVAn abbreviation for Air Admittance Valve, a mechanical device installed in a plumbing drainage system to...
• AbackDescribing the condition of a sail when the wind strikes it on the front surface, pressing it back against...
• Abb-woolWool prepared and spun into yarn for the warp, the lengthwise threads held under tension on a loom. Abb is an...
• ABCAn acronym used in industrial and trade contexts to represent 'Always Be Closing.' This phrase serves as a...
• AberrationA deviation from ideal image formation in an optical system, causing the image to be imperfectly reproduced...
• AberratorAn optical component or system designed to introduce a controlled amount of aberration into a wavefront. This...
• AbfaradA unit of electrical capacitance in the CGS electromagnetic system of units, representing the capacitance of...
• AblativeRelating to a type of antifouling paint that slowly wears away or erodes over time, releasing biocides to...
• AbleA designation for a seaman who is fully qualified to perform all duties of a deckhand, including steering...
• Able-bodiedRelating to a seafarer who possesses the necessary physical fitness, experience, and qualifications to...
• AbmhoA unit of electrical conductance in the centimeter-gram-second (CGS) electromagnetic system of units. It...
• AboutA nautical command or maneuver indicating a change in direction, typically a complete turn or reversal of...
• AbreastDescribing the position of two or more vessels moving side-by-side in the same direction and keeping pace...
• ABSAcrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, a common thermoplastic polymer used for drain, waste, and vent (DWV) piping...
• Absolute scaleA measurement system where the zero point represents the complete absence of the quantity being measured...
• AbsorptanceThe fraction of incident electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by a material, converting it into other...
• AbsorptionThe process by which a substance takes up another substance, either physically or chemically. In energy...
• Abt systemA rack railway system in which a locomotive pinion meshes with toothed steel bars laid between the running...
• AbvoltA unit of electromotive force in the CGS (centimeter-gram-second) electromagnetic system, equivalent to 10^-8...
• AbwattA unit of power in the CGS (centimeter-gram-second) electromagnetic system, equivalent to 10^-7 watts. This...
• a-cAlternating current: An electric current that periodically reverses direction, in contrast to direct current...
• ACA type of electrical current where the flow of electric charge periodically reverses direction. This is the...
• ACASAn acronym for Airborne Collision Avoidance System, an aircraft system designed to prevent mid-air collisions...
• Accelerated depreciationAn accounting method that allows businesses to deduct a larger portion of an asset's cost in the early years...
• Accelerated motionThe motion of an object where its velocity changes over time, meaning it is either speeding up, slowing down...
• AcceleratorA pedal or lever in a vehicle that controls the flow of fuel or power to the engine, thereby regulating the...
• Accessory batteryA secondary battery in a vehicle, separate from the main starter battery, specifically designed to power...
• ACCHA control channel in cellular communication systems, specifically the Associated Control CHannel. This...
• AccidentAn unplanned event that results in injury, death, property damage, or environmental release, disrupting...
• Accidental colourA subjective color sensation perceived after prolonged viewing of a specific color, resulting in an...
• Accommodation on arrivalA package-holiday arrangement in which the price includes hotel accommodation, but the traveler is not told...
• AccumulatorA pressure storage reservoir in a hydraulic system that holds fluid under pressure from an external source...
• ACDA telephony system that manages and routes a large volume of incoming calls to a group of agents or...
• AchromatA type of lens or lens system designed to correct for chromatic aberration, a distortion where different...
• AchromaticDescribing an optical system that has been corrected to minimize chromatic aberration, meaning it focuses...
• Achromatic lensA compound lens designed to correct for chromatic aberration, which is the color fringing that occurs when a...
• AchromaticityThe property of an optical system, such as a lens or prism, that exhibits a reduced or corrected level of...
• AchromatismThe property of an optical system to focus light of different colors to the same point, thereby correcting...
• ACIInterference caused by spurious power from a signal in a frequency channel adjacent to the one being used...
• Acid-washA textile finishing process that creates a faded, mottled, or distressed appearance on fabric, particularly...
• ACIRA measurement in a radio receiver that quantifies its ability to process a desired signal in the presence of...
• ACLRA measure of the power present in an adjacent frequency channel relative to the power in the desired channel...
• AcornA decorative, often spherical or ovoid, wooden or metal cap placed on the top of a mast or flagpole. It...
• Acoustic couplerA device that converts electrical signals from a modem into sound waves and vice versa, allowing data...
• AcoustoopticsThe branch of physics and engineering that studies the interaction between sound waves and light waves...
• ACPRA figure of merit giving the ratio of the power that leaks into a neighbouring channel to the power in the...
• Acquisition feeding timeThe period during which an insect vector, such as an aphid, feeds on an infected plant and acquires a...
• Acquisition timeThe duration required for a measurement system or sensor to collect sufficient data to produce an accurate...
• ACRA measure of cable performance, in decibels, found by subtracting the signal's attenuation from the near-end...
• Acre-footA unit of volume commonly used in large-scale water management, representing the amount of water required to...
• ACRRA measure of the power ratio between the desired signal in a channel and the unwanted signal in an adjacent...
• ACSA system that controls and monitors access to a physical area, such as a building, room, or secure enclosure...
• ActivatorA chemical reagent added to a flotation pulp to enhance the collection of a specific mineral by a collector...
• ActiveDescribing a component or system that requires an external power source to operate and can amplify or control...
• Active braking timeThe duration from the moment a vehicle's braking system begins to apply force to the wheels until the vehicle...
• ActuatorA mechanical device that converts energy, often electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic, into controlled physical...
• Adaptive opticsA technology that corrects for distortions in an optical wavefront caused by a medium, such as atmospheric...
• AdaptometryThe measurement of the eye's ability to adapt to changes in light intensity, particularly from bright to dim...
• ADASAn acronym for Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, which are electronic systems in a vehicle that use sensors...
• ADCAn electronic circuit that converts an analog electrical signal, such as voltage or current, into a digital...
• Adder-subtractorA digital circuit capable of performing both addition and subtraction operations on binary numbers. It...
• Address busA collection of parallel electrical conductors within a computer system that transmits memory addresses from...
• Address messageA signal or message in a communication network that carries the identity of the intended destination, such as...
• Adequately wetA condition where friable asbestos-containing material has sufficient moisture to prevent the release of...
• Ader receiverAn early telephone receiver designed by the French engineer Clément Ader, built around a single permanent...
• AditA horizontal or nearly horizontal passage driven into the side of a hill or mountain, used for access to a...
• AdjunctAn unmalted source of fermentable carbohydrate, such as corn, rice, oats, or refined sugar, added to the mash...
• AdjuvantA substance added to a pesticide formulation to enhance its effectiveness or alter its physical properties...
• ADLThe acquisition and distribution layer of a diaper or feminine pad, a stay-dry layer beneath the topsheet...
• ADPLLAll-Digital Phase-Locked Loop, an electronic circuit that synchronizes an output signal's phase and frequency...
• ADRThe European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, which sets out...
• Advance angleThe angular measurement in a reciprocating engine's ignition timing, representing how many degrees of...
• Advanced timeThe setting of an ignition system in an internal combustion engine so that the spark plug fires earlier in...
• AEBA safety system in vehicles that detects potential forward collisions and automatically applies the brakes if...
• AerialA structure designed to transmit or receive radio waves, forming a transducer that converts electrical...
• Aerial ladderA vehicle-mounted, mechanically extendable ladder used to provide access to or a stream of water to elevated...
• AerobaticsThe practice of performing maneuvers in an aircraft that are not required for normal flight, characterized by...
• AerobrakingA spaceflight maneuver that uses the drag of a planetary atmosphere to slow down a spacecraft, reducing its...
• AerocaptureA spacecraft maneuver that uses atmospheric drag to slow down and enter orbit around a celestial body. This...
• AffordanceA property of an object or environment that suggests how it can be interacted with or used by a robot. It...
• AflajAn ancient irrigation system originating in Oman, consisting of underground channels that tap into...
• AfocalDescribing an optical system where light rays entering parallel emerge parallel, meaning the system has an...
• AfterdampA toxic mixture of gases remaining in a mine after an explosion, particularly one involving methane or coal...
• After-fiveA category of clothing designed for semi-formal or cocktail events held in the evening. These garments are...
• AftermathThe second growth of grass or other forage crops that appears after the first cutting or grazing in a single...
• AgAn abbreviation for 'agricultural,' often used in construction to refer to products or practices related to...
• Against the grainTo cut or plane a piece of wood in a direction opposing the natural orientation of its fibers. This action...
• AgateA small type size, measuring approximately 5.5 points, historically used in printing for classified...
• AgatewareA ceramic ware created by combining two or more different colored clays, which are then kneaded or marbled...
• Aged R-valueThe thermal resistance value of an insulation material after it has been exposed to environmental conditions...
• AggregateGranular material, such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, or slag, used in construction as a component of...
• AgribulkBulk cargo consisting of agricultural products, such as grains, oilseeds, and sugar, transported unpackaged...
• Agricultural holderAn individual or legal entity that exercises management control over an agricultural holding and makes the...
• Aida clothA stiff, open-weave fabric made from 100% cotton, specifically designed for cross-stitch and embroidery. Its...
• Air admittance ventA one-way mechanical valve that allows air to enter a plumbing drainage system when negative pressure occurs...
• Air cellA small, enclosed pocket of air or gas trapped within a solid or liquid material, creating a cellular...
• Air corridorA designated, three-dimensional block of airspace through which aircraft are directed to fly, established by...
• Air drainAn open space left alongside a foundation or basement wall, between the wall and the retained earth, so that...
• Air hammerA pneumatic tool that uses compressed air to drive a chisel or other attachment with rapid percussive force...
• Air hoseA flexible tube designed to convey compressed air from a source to a pneumatic tool or system. It is...
• Air lineA system of pneumatic pipes and hoses on a train that transmits compressed air for operating the brakes and...
• Air rideA suspension system in vehicles, particularly trucks and buses, that uses compressed air instead of...
• AirbagA vehicle safety device designed to inflate rapidly during a collision, providing a cushion to protect...
• AirbillA non-negotiable document of carriage issued by an air carrier to a shipper, detailing the goods being...
• Air-blown asphaltAsphalt that has been oxidized by blowing air through it while hot, which raises its softening point, hardens...
• AirbrakeA control surface on an aircraft designed to increase drag and reduce airspeed, allowing for a steeper...
• AirbreathingDescribing an engine or propulsion system that draws oxygen from the surrounding atmosphere for combustion...
• AirbusA European multinational aerospace corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells civil and military...
• Aircraft stationA specific, numbered location along the longitudinal axis of an aircraft's fuselage, used as a reference...
• AirfieldA designated area of land or water, including any buildings, installations, and equipment, intended to be...
• Air-headA horizontal passage in a mine whose purpose is to carry ventilating air through the workings. Together with...
• AirleaveAn easement, the right granted to a mine operator to ventilate the workings onto or through neighbouring...
• AirshaftA vertical or inclined passage constructed within a building, mine, or underground structure to facilitate...
• AirshipA lighter-than-air aircraft that can be steered and propelled through the air, unlike unpowered balloons. It...
• AirspaceA defined, uninsulated gap between building components, such as within a cavity wall or between panes of...
• AirspeedThe velocity of an aircraft relative to the mass of air through which it is flying. It is a primary flight...
• Airspeed indicatorA flight instrument that displays an aircraft's airspeed, typically measured in knots. It operates by sensing...
• Air-to-airRelating to actions, communications, or systems operating between two or more airborne aircraft, as opposed...
• AirwayA passage, tunnel, or shaft in an underground mine specifically designated for the movement of air as part of...
• Airy diskThe central bright spot in the diffraction pattern of a point source of light passing through a circular...
• Airy patternThe diffraction pattern produced when light from a point source passes through a circular aperture. It...
• AisleA passageway between rows of seats in a vehicle, such as an aircraft, bus, or train, or between stacks of...
• Albany slipA natural clay found near Albany, New York, historically used as a glaze for stoneware. When fired to high...
• AlbedoA measure of the diffuse reflectivity of a surface or object, indicating the fraction of incident...
• AlfaThe letter "A" as spoken in the NATO phonetic alphabet, used for clear and unambiguous communication...
• AlginiteA maceral, a microscopic organic component of coal and oil shale, derived from the preserved remains of...
• AlidadeA sighting device used in surveying and navigation to measure angles and determine directions. It consists of...
• AlignerA tool or machine used to precisely adjust the position and orientation of components relative to each other...
• All-figure numberA telephone number made up entirely of digits, with no letters from an exchange name used as a prefix. Older...
• AlligatorA type of shear used in metalworking for cutting bars, rods, and other metal stock. It features a hinged jaw...
• Alligator clipA spring-loaded electrical connector with serrated jaws, resembling an alligator's mouth, used for making...
• AlligatoringA form of paint or coating failure characterized by a pattern of cracks resembling alligator skin, caused by...
• AllocentricA type of tourist in Stanley Plog's psychographic model who is adventurous and prefers novel, unfamiliar...
• AllochemA recognizable, transported carbonate grain that forms a component of a sedimentary rock, specifically a...
• Alloy wheelA wheel for an automobile made from an alloy of aluminum or magnesium, rather than steel. These wheels are...
• AlloyantAn element or substance added to a pure metal to form an alloy, modifying its properties. The alloyant, also...
• All-season tireA type of tire designed to provide adequate performance in a variety of weather conditions, including dry...
• All-terrain vehicleA motorized vehicle designed for off-road use, featuring low-pressure tires, a straddle seat for the...
• All-weather tireA type of vehicle tire designed to provide reliable traction and performance across a broad range of weather...
• All-weather tyreA type of vehicle tire designed to provide reliable traction and performance across a broad range of weather...
• Almond furnaceA furnace used in silver refining in which the litharge (lead oxide) left over from cupellation is reduced...
• Alpha acidA group of bitter compounds in hop cones, mainly humulone, cohumulone, and adhumulone, that give hopped beer...
• Alpha hingeThe drag hinge of an articulated helicopter rotor, a pivot at the blade root that lets each blade swing...
• Alpha rollingA metalworking process applied to titanium and its alloys, where the material is rolled at temperatures...
• AlternatorAn electrical generator that converts mechanical energy into alternating current electrical energy. It...
• AluminosisThe loss of strength in concrete made with high-alumina cement, caused by conversion of its metastable...
• AMAn abbreviation for Additive Manufacturing, a process of creating three-dimensional objects by adding...
• AmacraticDescribing a lens that unites the chemically active rays of light, the blue and violet rays that exposed...
• AmalgamAn alloy formed by mixing mercury with another metal or metals. The mercury acts as a solvent, creating a...
• AmbittyA defect of glass in which small stony crystals form and speckle the surface or body, the first sign of...
• AMEPDAn active matrix electrophoretic display, a form of electronic paper in which charged pigment particles in...
• AmericanA dated name for the smallest of the traditional type sizes, listed in nineteenth-century American printing...
• American forgeA forge for making wrought iron directly from ore without first producing pig iron, developed in North...
• American planA pricing structure in the hospitality industry where the quoted rate for accommodation includes all three...
• AMOLEDA display technology that uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) arranged in a matrix, where each pixel...
• AmplifierAn electronic device or circuit that increases the power or amplitude of an electrical signal. It takes a...
• AMPSAn analog mobile phone system, the first generation (1G) cellular technology widely deployed in North...
• AMRAn abbreviation for Autonomous Mobile Robot, a type of robot that navigates and operates independently within...
• AMSThe Agricultural Marketing Service, a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agency that administers...
• AMTA type of vehicle transmission that combines the mechanical components of a manual gearbox with an automated...
• AnalciticRelating to or containing the mineral analcime, a hydrated sodium aluminum silicate belonging to the zeolite...
• Analog-to-digital converterAn electronic circuit that transforms a continuous analog signal, such as voltage or current, into a discrete...
• AnastaticDescribing a printing process that reproduces an existing printed document by transferring its image to a...
• ANCA method, known as Active Noise Control, for reducing unwanted sound by introducing a second sound wave...
• AnchimonomineralDescribing a rock composed almost entirely of a single mineral. The dominant mineral makes up a very high...
• AnchorA heavy device, typically made of metal, designed to be dropped to the seabed to hold a vessel in a fixed...
• Anchor pylonA self-supporting transmission tower designed to withstand large tensile forces from the conductors, used...
• AND gateA basic digital logic gate that produces a high output only if all of its inputs are high. If any input is...
• AndonA visual control system used in lean manufacturing to signal the status of a production line or process. It...
• AndrettiA leading American racing family, headed by Mario Andretti, who won the Formula One World Championship in...
• AndrogynousA connector or coupling design in which both mating halves are identical, so any half can mate with any other...
• AndroidA mobile operating system developed by Google, primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones...
• Angel gearPutting a vehicle's transmission into neutral, especially a large truck, while coasting downhill. This...
• Angle barA structural component, typically made of metal or wood, that has an L-shaped cross-section. It is used in...
• Angle braceA diagonal structural member installed to reinforce a frame and resist lateral forces, preventing racking or...
• Angle of attackThe angle between the plane of a railway wheel and the tangent to the rail at the point of contact...
• Angle of incidenceThe angle between an incident ray of light (or other wave) and the normal to the surface it strikes. The...
• Angle of reflectionThe angle formed between a reflected ray of light and the normal to the surface from which it reflects...
• Angle of refractionThe angle between a refracted ray of light (or other wave) and the normal to the surface as it passes from...
• AnglesmithA blacksmith in shipbuilding who forges and shapes angle irons and similar structural members, bending them...
• AngstromA unit of length equal to 10⁻¹⁰ meters, or 0.1 nanometers. It is commonly used to express atomic distances...
• Angular apertureThe full angle of the cone of light that a lens or objective can accept from, or send to, a point on its...
• AnharmonicityThe deviation of an oscillator from simple harmonic motion, where the restoring force is not directly...
• AnhedralThe downward tilt of a wing or tailplane from root to tip relative to the horizontal, the opposite of...
• ANIA telecommunications feature, Automatic Number Identification, that transmits a caller's billing telephone...
• AniloxA hard cylinder or roller used in flexographic printing to transfer a measured amount of ink to the printing...
• AnisoplanatismA condition in adaptive optics where the atmospheric distortion varies across the field of view, preventing...
• Ankle bootA type of footwear that extends up to or slightly above the wearer's ankle. These boots are manufactured in a...
• AnnealTo heat a material, typically a metal or glass, to a specific temperature and then cool it slowly to alter...
• AnnunciatorA device in a locomotive cab or control room that provides audible and visual indications of specific...
• AnodeThe electrode in an electrochemical cell at which oxidation occurs, and more generally the terminal through...
• Answering machineAn electronic device that automatically answers telephone calls and records messages from callers when the...
• AntecrystA crystal within an igneous rock that formed in an earlier magmatic event and was later incorporated into the...
• AntennaA metallic device for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves, used for communication, navigation...
• AnthropomimeticDescribing a robot or robotic system that mimics human form, movement, or behavior. This design approach aims...
• AntibacklashA design feature or mechanism implemented in mechanical systems to reduce or eliminate the play or lost...
• AntiballoonA feature of ring spinning frames that restrains the outward bulge, called the balloon, formed by yarn...
• AntiballoonerA device or mechanism on a spinning frame that prevents the yarn from ballooning excessively during the...
• AnticathodeThe target electrode in an X-ray tube, typically made of a high atomic number material like tungsten or...
• AnticohererA historical radio wave detector of early wireless telegraphy whose electrical resistance rises when radio...
• AnticoronaA rare optical phenomenon appearing as a set of colored rings, similar to a corona, but observed in the...
• AntifreezeA chemical substance, typically ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, added to a vehicle's cooling system to...
• Anti-knock indexA measure of a gasoline's resistance to knocking or pre-ignition in an internal combustion engine. It is...
• AntimetricA network property in which the impedance seen looking into one port is the dual of the impedance at the...
• AntiplaneDescribing a type of deformation or stress state where all displacement occurs parallel to the crack front...
• AntipoolingDescribing a law or rule that bans pooling agreements between rival railroads, in which competing lines...
• Antique carA motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old, maintained in a condition that preserves its historical...
• AntireflectiveDescribing a coating applied to an optical surface to reduce reflection and increase light transmission...
• AntisaggingA property or design feature incorporated into materials or structures to resist downward deflection or...
• AntitranspirantA chemical compound applied to plant foliage to reduce water loss through transpiration. These substances...
• AntronA brand name for a type of nylon fiber, specifically a polyamide, known for its durability, resilience, and...
• Ao daiA traditional Vietnamese garment consisting of a long, close-fitting tunic with side slits worn over...
• ApertometerAn instrument designed to measure the numerical aperture of a microscope objective. The measurement...
• ApertureAn opening or hole through which light passes in an optical system. It controls the amount of light entering...
• ApexThe highest point of a vein or lode as it is found at or nearest to the surface of the ground. Under the...
• AphaniteAn igneous rock texture where the individual mineral grains are too small to be distinguished with the naked...
• AphaniticDescribing the texture of an igneous rock in which the mineral grains are so fine that they are not...
• AphicideA pesticide specifically formulated to control aphid populations on agricultural crops, ornamental plants, or...
• API donutA circular symbol found on motor oil containers, indicating that the oil meets the performance standards set...
• ApidictorA hive-sound monitor devised by the beekeeper Eddie Woods that picks up the buzzing of a colony through a...
• AplanatAn optical system, such as a compound lens or mirror assembly, corrected for both spherical aberration and...
• AplanaticDescribing an optical system that is free from spherical aberration and coma for a given pair of conjugate...
• AplanatismThe optical property of a lens or system that is free from both spherical aberration and coma for a given...
• ApochromatA lens or objective corrected for chromatic aberration at three wavelengths, bringing red, green, and blue...
• ApochromaticDescribing an optical system, such as a lens, that corrects for chromatic aberration at three specific...
• ApochromatismThe state of an optical system where chromatic aberration is corrected for three distinct wavelengths...
• ApolloA series of human spaceflight missions conducted by the United States' National Aeronautics and Space...
• AppA self-contained software program designed to perform a specific function directly for a user. These programs...
• ApparatusA collection of tools, equipment, or devices assembled for a particular purpose or function within an...
• AppersonAn early American automobile manufacturer, Apperson Brothers Automobile Company, founded by brothers Edgar...
• Apple seedThe small, hard-cased pome fruit seed from which an apple tree can be grown, although it will not produce a...
• ApproachThe final phase of flight, from a defined point or altitude, during which an aircraft is maneuvered into...
• AprilTagA visual fiducial system consisting of 2D bar codes that a camera can detect and decode to determine the...
• ApronA designated area at an airport where aircraft are parked, loaded, unloaded, refueled, boarded, or...
• Apron flashingA type of sheet metal flashing installed at the intersection of a vertical surface, such as a wall or...
• AquaculturalRelating to aquaculture, which is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish, and aquatic...
• AquaculturistA professional who cultivates aquatic organisms, such as fish, shellfish, and seaweed, in controlled or...
• AquafeedA formulated diet provided to aquatic animals raised in aquaculture systems. It consists of a blend of...
• AquaplaneTo lose traction and control of a vehicle when a layer of water builds up between the tires and the road...
• AquaplaningThe loss of traction and control of a vehicle when a layer of water builds up between the tires and the road...
• ArabilityThe suitability of land for cultivation by plowing and other agricultural practices to grow crops. It is...
• ArableDescribing land that is suitable for plowing and growing crops. Arable land possesses characteristics such as...
• Arago spotA bright spot that appears at the center of the shadow of a circular opaque object when illuminated by a...
• ArbiterA control mechanism or circuit that manages access to a shared resource among multiple competing requesters...
• Arc blastA violent expulsion of molten material, shrapnel, and superheated gases that occurs during an electrical arc...
• Arc faultAn unintended electrical discharge that occurs between two conductors, or between a conductor and ground...
• Arc flashA dangerous release of energy caused by an electrical arc fault, resulting in a sudden burst of heat, light...
• Arc-fault circuit interrupterA specialized circuit breaker designed to detect and mitigate dangerous electrical arc faults by quickly...
• ArchaeometallurgyThe study of the history and prehistory of metals and their use by humans. This interdisciplinary field...
• Architectural concreteConcrete that is exposed to view and forms an integral part of the aesthetic design of a structure, requiring...
• Architectural panelA prefabricated, non-load-bearing panel used as an exterior or interior finish surface on a building. These...
• Architectural shingleA type of asphalt shingle designed to mimic the appearance of more expensive roofing materials like wood...
• ArcoverAn electrical discharge that occurs when an insulating medium, such as air or a dielectric material, breaks...
• Arcwall machineA type of coal-cutting machine used in underground mining, characterized by its ability to cut an arc-shaped...
• Area ruleA design principle in aerodynamics stating that the cross-sectional area distribution of an aircraft along...
• Arithmetic logic unitA digital circuit within a central processing unit (CPU) that performs arithmetic operations such as...
• Armstrong oscillatorA type of electronic oscillator circuit that uses a transformer or an autotransformer for feedback to sustain...
• ARNKA placeholder segment in an airline reservation, short for 'arrival unknown', marking a break where the...
• AromatizationA chemical conversion process in petroleum refining that transforms non-aromatic hydrocarbons into aromatic...
• ArteryA major road or highway that serves as a primary route for traffic flow within a transportation network...
• Article of extraordinary valueA classification for items of high monetary worth that require special handling and declaration when shipped...
• Artificial horizonAn aircraft instrument that displays the aircraft's attitude relative to the Earth's horizon. It provides...
• As-builtDescribing a drawing, model, or set of documents that shows the final, completed condition of a project...
• AshlaringThe installation of short, vertical studs or framing members that extend from the floor joists to the...
• Asian utility vehicleA type of light commercial vehicle with a body-on-frame construction, developed in Southeast Asia as a simple...
• ASICAn application-specific integrated circuit, a microchip designed for a particular purpose or application...
• AspectThe visual indication displayed by a railway signal, conveying instructions or information to the train...
• AspecularDescribing a surface or reflection that does not produce a mirror-like, specular reflection. Instead, light...
• Asphalt emulsionA stable mixture of asphalt binder, water, and an emulsifying agent, allowing asphalt to be applied at lower...
• Asphalt shingleA common roofing material consisting of a fiberglass or organic felt mat saturated with asphalt and coated...
• AsphaltaneA complex, high molecular weight organic compound found in crude oil and bitumen, insoluble in n-alkanes but...
• Assembly lineA manufacturing process in which products are progressively assembled as they move along a conveyor or...
• AssertTo drive an electrical signal to its active or true state, which can be either a high voltage level or a low...
• AssholedDescribing a fastener head, such as on a bolt or screw, that has been stripped or rounded out, preventing a...
• AstableDescribing an electronic circuit that continuously oscillates between two unstable states without external...
• AstigmatismAn optical aberration where a lens or mirror fails to focus light rays from a single point into a single...
• AstrionicsThe science and technology of applying electronics to astronautics, specifically concerning the design...
• AstrobotA small robot in a dense array on a telescope's focal plane that moves the end of an optical fiber onto a...
• Asymmetric digital subscriber lineA technology that transmits digital data over standard copper telephone lines at different speeds for sending...
• ATFA specialized oil used in vehicles with automatic transmissions, serving as a lubricant, hydraulic fluid, and...
• AtlanticA type of steam locomotive characterized by a 4-4-2 wheel arrangement, meaning four leading wheels, four...
• AtlasThe designation for the Airbus A400M, a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft, in the context of...
• ATMAsynchronous Transfer Mode, a telecommunications standard for digital data transmission that organizes data...
• ATOAn abbreviation for Assisted Takeoff, a method where an aircraft receives additional thrust beyond its own...
• ATOCA British trade body, formed after rail privatisation, that represented passenger train operating companies...
• Atomic gardeningA method of plant breeding that involves exposing seeds or plants to radiation, such as gamma rays, to induce...
• ATPThe Airline Transport Pilot certificate, the highest level of aircraft pilot certification. It authorizes the...
• Attack timeThe duration it takes for a dynamic range compressor or limiter to react to an input signal exceeding its...
• AttenuateTo reduce the force, effect, or value of a signal, energy, or substance as it passes through a medium. In...
• AttenuationThe reduction in the strength or intensity of a signal, force, or effect as it passes through a medium or...
• AttenuativeRelating to the property of a material or system that causes a reduction in the intensity or strength of a...
• AttenuatorA device designed to absorb or dissipate kinetic energy during a collision, thereby reducing the severity of...
• AttireThe clothing worn by individuals, particularly in a professional or specialized context within industrial and...
• AttleWaste rock or other non-valuable material removed from a mine during the extraction of ore. This refuse...
• AttoampereA unit of electrical current equal to one quintillionth (10^-18) of an ampere. This extremely small unit is...
• AttogramA unit of mass equal to one quintillionth (10^-18) of a gram. This minute measurement is relevant in fields...
• AttohertzA unit of frequency equal to one quintillionth (10^-18) of a hertz. This extremely low frequency is rarely...
• AttojouleA unit of energy equal to 10^-18 joule, which is about 6.24 electronvolts. It is used in quantum physics and...
• AttokatalAn SI derived unit of catalytic activity equal to 10^-18 katal, meaning a conversion of 10^-18 mole of...
• AttolitreA unit of volume equal to 10^-18 litre, which is 10^-21 cubic metre, the volume of a cube 100 nanometres on a...
• AttometreA unit of length equal to one quintillionth (10^-18) of a metre. This incredibly small distance is relevant...
• AttoparsecA unit of length equal to 10^-18 parsec, which is about 3.09 centimetres or 1.2 inches. It is mainly a...
• AttosecondA unit of time equal to one quintillionth (10⁻¹⁸) of a second. This timescale is relevant for measuring...
• AttowattA unit of power equal to 10^-18 watts. This minute amount of power is relevant in highly sensitive scientific...
• AugetA priming tube used in older blasting that connects the charge chamber with the gallery, the place where the...
• AuriculaA species of primrose, Primula auricula, cultivated as an ornamental plant and known for its distinctive...
• AutoA common abbreviation for automobile, referring to a self-propelled passenger vehicle designed for operation...
• Auto showA public exhibition where automobile manufacturers display their latest models, concept cars, and automotive...
• AutoballasterA specialized type of railroad freight car designed for the automated unloading of ballast, the crushed stone...
• AutobusA large, self-propelled road vehicle designed to carry many passengers along a fixed route or for charter...
• AutocideControl of an insect pest by releasing individuals of that same species that have been made sterile or carry...
• AutocoachA railway coach with a driving cab at one end, used in push-pull working so the driver can control a...
• AutocorrelatorAn instrument used to measure the autocorrelation function of a signal, particularly in optics to determine...
• AutocrystA crystal within an igneous rock that formed directly from the melt in which it is now found and is in...
• AutofocusA system in optical devices that automatically adjusts the lens to achieve sharp focus on a subject. It uses...
• AutogainAn automatic gain control system that adjusts the amplification level of an input signal to maintain a...
• Automated manual transmissionA type of vehicle transmission that combines the mechanical components of a manual gearbox with an automated...
• Automatic distance controlA driver assistance system that automatically adjusts a vehicle's speed to keep a safe following distance...
• Automatic half-barrier level crossingA type of railway level crossing where road traffic is protected by barriers that descend automatically when...
• Automatic leveling systemA suspension feature in a vehicle that adjusts the ride height to maintain a consistent level, regardless of...
• Automatic train controlA general class of onboard systems that enforce compliance with speed restrictions and signal indications...
• Automatic transmissionA type of vehicle transmission that automatically changes gear ratios as the vehicle moves, eliminating the...
• Automobile graveyardA facility where end-of-life vehicles are stored, dismantled, and recycled for their parts and materials...
• AutonomationA form of automation that incorporates a supervisory human-like intelligence, allowing machines to operate...
• AutonomyThe capability of a mechanical system or robot to perform tasks and make decisions independently, without...
• AutorouterA software tool in electronic design automation that automatically places the copper traces connecting...
• AutosynA type of rotary electrical transformer used for transmitting angular position information from a rotating...
• AutotransformerA transformer with a single winding that acts as both the primary and secondary coils, sharing a common...
• AutovacA vacuum-operated fuel feed system found in early automobiles, designed to draw gasoline from a main tank to...
• AutozeroingA technique employed in electronic measurement devices to automatically correct for offset errors and drift...
• AUVAn abbreviation for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, a robot capable of operating beneath the surface of water...
• AuxetometerAn instrument for measuring the magnification power of a lens or an optical system like a microscope. It...
• AVASA device installed in quiet electric and hybrid vehicles to generate an audible sound at low speeds. This...
• AverageA marine insurance principle that distributes the cost of certain losses among all parties with an interest...
• Average access timeThe average duration required for a computer system to locate and retrieve a piece of data from a storage...
• Average seek timeThe average amount of time required for a read/write head in a disk drive to move from one random track to...
• AVGPAn acronym for Armoured Vehicle General Purpose, a series of wheeled armored fighting vehicles used by the...
• AvionicRelating to the electronic systems used on aircraft, satellites, and spacecraft. Avionic systems include...
• AvionicsThe electronic systems and equipment used in aircraft, spacecraft, and artificial satellites. This field...
• Away messageAn automated response sent by an electronic communication system when a user is unavailable or not actively...
• AWSAmazon's cloud computing platform, which provides on-demand computing, storage, databases and machine...
• Axial leadA type of electrical component packaging where the connecting wires or leads extend from opposite ends of the...
• Axle counterA device used in railway signaling systems to detect the passage of train wheels and determine the presence...
• Axle guardA pair of vertical plates attached to a rail vehicle's underframe that holds the axlebox in the correct...
• Axle loadThe total weight transmitted to the rails by a single axle of a railway vehicle, including the weight of the...
• Axle loadingThe process of calculating or the resulting value of the total weight transferred to the track through a...
• Axle-hungDescribing a mounting arrangement for a traction motor or gearbox in which the component is directly...

356 of 7,311 terms in Industrial and trades terminology (MLC-0113). Request the full dataset.