low-power
|low-pow-er|
🇺🇸
/ˌloʊ ˈpaʊər/
🇬🇧
/ˌləʊ ˈpaʊə/
having reduced output or energy use
Etymology
'low-power' originates from English, formed by combining 'low' and 'power'; 'low' traces to Old Norse 'lág' meaning 'not high/short', and 'power' comes via Old French 'poeir/povoir' from Latin 'posse' meaning 'to be able'.
'low' entered Middle English as 'lowe' from Old Norse 'lág', while 'power' came into Middle English from Old French 'poeir/povoir'; the hyphenated compound 'low-power' rose to prominence in the 20th century with electrical and electronic contexts and later computing.
Initially, it meant 'of low output or strength', and it broadened to include 'energy-efficient' usage, especially for electronics and device settings.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
using or requiring little electrical energy; energy-efficient.
The company designed a low-power chipset for wearable devices.
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Adjective 2
operating at reduced output or intensity (e.g., in radios, transmitters, lasers).
A low-power transmitter is sufficient for short-range communication.
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Adjective 3
of an optical instrument or lens, providing low magnification.
Start with the low-power objective to locate the specimen.
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Last updated: 2025/08/10 03:26