actuator

== English == === Etymology === From actuate + -or. First attested in 1652. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈæk.tjuː.eɪ.tə(ɹ)/, /ˈæk.t͡ʃu.eɪ.tə(ɹ)/ (General American, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈæk.t͡ʃu.eɪ.tɚ/, [ˈæk.t͡ʃu.eɪ.ɾɚ] (General Australian) IPA(key): /ˈæk.t͡ʃʉ.æɪ.tə(ɹ)/, [ˈæk.t͡ʃʉ.æɪ.ɾə(ɹ)] === Noun === actuator (plural actuators) Something that actuates something else. A usually electric device that causes a mechanical device (i.e., a mechanism) to be switched on or off. For example; an electric motor that opens and closes a valve. (computer hardware) The mechanism that moves the head assembly on a disk drive. (electricity) A relay that controls the flow of electricity. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Anagrams === autocrat == Latin == === Verb === āctuātor second/third-person singular future passive imperative of āctuō