suppressor

/sə'presə/
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suppressor

A technician installs a suppressor on a circuit board.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A person or thing that suppresses: Someone or something that actively prevents, stops, or holds back an action, process, or expression.
    • An electrical device: A component designed to eliminate or reduce unwanted electrical currents, such as noise or voltage spikes.
    • A genetic agent: In genetics, a gene that counteracts the effect of another gene, particularly a mutant gene, preventing its phenotypic expression.
Usage and Examples
  • Referring to a person or entity:
    • The regime was a brutal suppressor of dissent.
    • She acted as a suppressor of her own emotions to appear strong.
  • Referring to an electrical device:
    • Install a power line suppressor to protect your computer from surges.
    • The radio's noise suppressor eliminated the static.
  • Referring to genetics:
    • The researcher identified a tumor suppressor gene.
    • A suppressor mutation can restore a normal phenotype.
Advanced Usage
  • "Suppressor cell": In immunology, a type of T-cell that downregulates the immune response.
    • Suppressor T-cells help prevent autoimmune reactions.
  • "Noise suppressor": A specific type of suppressor for acoustic or electronic noise.
    • Guitarists often use a noise suppressor pedal in their signal chain.
Variants and Related Words
  • Suppress (verb): To forcibly put an end to; to restrain or prevent the expression of.
    • The government tried to suppress the news.
  • Suppression (noun): The act of suppressing.
    • The suppression of the rebellion was swift.
  • Suppressive (adjective): Tending or serving to suppress.
    • The treatment had a suppressive effect on the virus.
Synonyms
  • Repressor: One that restrains or inhibits.
  • Inhibitor: An agent that slows or prevents a process.
  • Queller: One that puts an end to something, especially by force.
  • Muffler (for sound/device): A device that deadens sound.
Related Phrases and Compounds
  • Fire suppressor: A system or agent (like foam) used to extinguish fires.
    • The data center is equipped with an automatic fire suppressor.
  • Voltage suppressor: An electrical component that clamps transient voltage spikes.
    • The voltage suppressor saved the circuit board during the power surge.
  • Myth suppressor: (Informal/figurative) A person or fact that dispels a false belief.
    • She became a myth suppressor, dedicated to debunking pseudoscience.
suppressor

A technician installs a suppressor on a circuit board.

Noun
  1. an electrical device for suppressing unwanted currents
  2. a gene that suppresses the phenotypic expression of another gene (especially of a mutant gene)
  3. someone who suppresses
    • dictators are suppressors of free speech