detector
n.-
1 safety or security device (n.) B1 Intermediatea device that finds something hidden or dangerous and often makes a sound to warn you.
an instrument designed to sense and signal the presence of a specific physical stimulus, such as smoke, heat, or radiation.
ExampleThe smoke detector started beeping because I burnt the toast.
ExampleThe building's fire safety system includes a sensitive smoke detector in every hallway to ensure rapid evacuation in an emergency.
Usageoften used in compound nouns like 'smoke detector' or 'metal detector'.
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2 signal receiver (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Sciencea part of a radio or electronic machine that picks up a signal and changes it into sound or information.
a circuit or component in a receiver that extracts information from a modulated carrier wave.
ExampleThe radio uses a small detector to turn the signal into music.
ExampleIn early wireless telegraphy, the coherer served as a primitive detector of radio waves before more reliable vacuum tubes were developed.
Usagetypically used in the context of electronics, physics, or telecommunications.
- demodulator
- receiver
Borrowed from Latin dētēctor. Equals detect + -or (agent noun forming suffix).