Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mechanical or electrical signaling device on a vehicle: A trafficator is a device, typically a retractable arm or a blinking light, used on a motor vehicle to indicate the driver's intention to turn or change direction.

Usage

• The word is a historical term. It is rarely used in modern everyday English. Today, the common term is turn signal or indicator.
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).
• It is used to describe a specific part of a vehicle.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The vintage car's trafficator popped out from the door pillar to signal a left turn.
  • Before modern blinking lights, many cars were equipped with trafficators.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term is most commonly encountered when discussing classic or antique automobiles. It refers to the semaphore-style mechanical indicators that were common before the widespread adoption of flashing light signals.

Variants and Related Words

• Turn signal (n): The modern, standard term for a vehicle's directional indicator light.
• Indicator (n): A common synonym for , especially in British English.
• Blinker (n): An informal term for a turn signal.
• Semaphore indicator (n): A more technical term for the mechanical arm-style trafficator.

Synonyms

• Directional signal
• Turn indicator

Related Idioms or Phrases

Noun

1. a blinking light on a motor vehicle that indicates the direction in which the vehicle is about to turn