Definition of COMMUTATOR

commutator

Meanings

Plural: commutators

Noun

  • switch for reversing the direction of an electric current
  • An electrical switch, in a generator or motor, that periodically reverses the direction of an electric current.
  • A binary map in a given group G, given by [g, h] = ghg⁻¹h⁻¹, where g and h are elements of G, which yields the group's identity if and only if the group operation commutes for g and h.
  • A binary map in a given ring R, given by [a, b] = ab − ba, where a and b are elements of R, which yields the ring's zero element if and only if the multiplication operation commutes for a and b.

Origin / Etymology

Back-formation from commutation (in the late 19th century), as is commutate (verb) too.

Scrabble Score: 16

commutator is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
commutator is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
commutator is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 20

commutator is a valid Words With Friends word