suppressor

British  

/ səˈprɛsə /

noun

1. a person or thing that suppresses

2. a device fitted to an electrical appliance to suppress unwanted electrical interference to audiovisual signals

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suppressor Scientific  

/ sə-prĕs′ər /

1. A mutant gene that suppresses the phenotypic expression of another usually mutant gene.

2. A device, such as a resistor or grid, that is used in an electrical or electronic system to reduce unwanted currents.

3. ◆ A suppressor grid in a vacuum tube such as a pentode is designed to prevent the secondary emission of electrons from the plate. When electrons emitted by the tube's cathode strike the plate, their energies can be high enough to cause secondary emission of low-energy electrons from the plate, and these electrons can drift away into other positively charged electrodes in the tube (like the screen or the control grid), drawing current from the plate. A negatively charged suppressor grid near the plate repels these low-energy electrons and pushes them back toward the plate so that no current is lost, increasing the efficiency of the tube.

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Example Sentences

When federal agents raided the men’s homes, they found a cache of weapons including rifles, shotguns, 1,600 rounds of ammunition and flash suppressors, the FBI said.

From The Wall Street Journal

They have, however, attached other gun-related legislation to the bill, namely a change to the way suppressors are taxed.

From Salon

Earlier in the day, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the weapon and suppressor seized by investigators from the suspect were "both consistent with the weapon used in the murder" of Mr Thompson.

From BBC

Earlier in the day, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the weapon and suppressor seized by investigators from the suspect were "both consistent with the weapon used in the murder".

From BBC

Lim and his colleagues were inspired by "suppressor" cells, which are the immune system's natural brakes.

From Science Daily