polyphase
|pol-y-phase|
🇺🇸
/ˈpɑːliˌfeɪz/
🇬🇧
/ˈpɒliˌfeɪz/
multiple phases
Etymology
'polyphase' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'polus' meaning 'many' and 'phasis' meaning 'appearance or phase'.
'polus' and 'phasis' combined in Greek to form 'polyphase', which was adopted into English in the context of electrical engineering.
Initially, it referred to 'many phases or appearances', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'involving multiple phases, especially in electrical systems'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
involving or having multiple phases, especially in electrical engineering where it refers to systems with more than one alternating current phase.
The polyphase system is more efficient for power distribution.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42