• Generator

    Origin

    From Latin, from past participle of genero ("beget, father")

    Full definition of generator

    Noun

    generator

    (plural generators)
    1. One who, or that which, generates, begets, causes, or produces.
      1. (chemistry) An apparatus in which vapour or gas is formed from a liquid or solid by means of heat or chemical process, as a steam boiler, gas retort etc.
      2. (music) The principal sound or sounds by which others are produced; the fundamental note or root of the common chord; -- see also generating tone.
      3. (mathematics) An element of a group that is used in the presentation of the group: one of the elements from which the others can be inferred with the given relators.
      4. (geometry) One of the lines of a ruled surface; more generally, an element of some family of linear spaces.
      5. (programming) A subordinate piece of code which, given some initial parameters will generate multiple output values on request.
    2. A piece of apparatus, equipment, etc, to convert or change energy from one form to another.
      1. Especially, a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
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