Definition

1. Noun:
   • A device for automatically interrupting an electric current: An "interrupter" is a mechanical or electronic component designed to break or stop the flow of electricity in a circuit, often repeatedly or at set intervals.
   • A person or thing that interrupts: An "interrupter" can also refer to a person who breaks the continuity of an activity or speech, or to any agent that causes an interruption.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Device):
  • The old telegraph system used a mechanical interrupter to create the Morse code signals.
  • A circuit breaker is a common type of electrical interrupter found in homes.
• Noun (Person/Agent):
  • He was a constant interrupter during the meeting, making it hard to finish any point.
  • Noise from the construction site was the main interrupter of our conversation.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: In electronics, an "interrupter" often refers specifically to a device that periodically breaks a circuit, such as in an induction coil or a buzzer.
  • The experiment required an interrupter to generate a pulsed magnetic field.
• Linguistics/Grammar: In some grammatical frameworks, the term can describe a word or phrase that breaks the flow of a sentence (e.g., an interjection or a parenthetical element).
  • Words like "however" or "incidentally" can act as interrupters in a sentence.

Variants and Related Words

• Interrupt (verb): To stop the continuous progress of an activity or process.
  • Please do not interrupt the speaker.
• Interruption (noun): The action of interrupting or the state of being interrupted.
  • The power interruption lasted for two hours.
• Interruptor (noun): An alternative, less common spelling for "interrupter," especially in technical contexts.

Synonyms

• Disrupter: One who or that which disrupts.
• Circuit breaker: A device that interrupts an electrical circuit to prevent excess current.
• Intruder: One who intrudes, especially into a conversation (for the person sense).

Related Phrases

• To act as an interrupter: To function in the role of interrupting.
  • The faulty switch began to act as an interrupter, causing the lights to flicker.

Notes on Meaning

The primary and most specific meaning of "interrupter" is the electrical device. The meaning of a person who interrupts is a direct, literal application of the verb "to interrupt" and is also correct but generally less technical. The context usually makes the intended meaning clear.

Noun

1. a device for automatically interrupting an electric current