intermediate switch
A light switch with two pairs of two terminals, which can be switched between straight-through or swapped wiring. Typically used as part of a circuit to control a light or other device from three or more locations.
Entries starting with I
174 entries.
International System of Units
A standard set of units of measurement for use in scientific literature worldwide. The newest and most widespread version of the metric system.
Internet service provider
A company that provides Internet access.
interphase
An indistinct region in the interface between two substances in composite materials.
interplant
adjectiveManufacturing
Between manufacturing plants or divisions.
interpole
An auxiliary pole of a commutator placed between the main poles to increase its efficiency.
interposer
An electrical interface between one connection or socket and another, used to spread a connection to a wider pitch or to reroute it.
interrupt
An event that causes a computer or other device to temporarily cease what it was doing and attend to a condition.
interrupting time
The time between the trip circuit energization and power arc interruption.
intersertal
adjectiveMining and extraction
Having glass between larger crystals in a porphyritic rock.
interstage
The structure, generally containing mechanical components and instruments but no engines or fuel tanks, connecting the top of a stage of a multistage rocket to the bottom of the stage above it.
intertie
nounConstruction
In any framed work, a horizontal tie other than sill and plate or other principal ties, securing uprights to one another.
Intertype
A typecasting machine closely resembling the linotype, and using the same matrices.
interurban
nounRail equipment
An electric railway carrying mainly passengers between two or more urban centres.
intervisible
adjectiveSurveying
Mutually visible; each in sight of the other.
invasive exotic
A species or an individual of a species that is foreign to an environment and that, when introduced to that environment, outcompetes native species.
inverse
verbSurveying
To compute the bearing and distance between two points.
inverting function
An electronic logic circuit which inverts the phase of a signal
invertor
A device that converts direct current into alternating current.
invest
verbMetallurgy
To prepare for lost wax casting by creating an investment mold (a mixture of a silica sand and plaster).
IO
Initialism of input and output.
IOM soybean
A high-quality, food-grade soybean that is grown, processed, and sourced from the state of Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.
ion engine
a type of spacecraft propulsion, whereby electric fields accelerate ions out the exhaust to provide motive force
Ionic
Of or relating to a kind of heavy-faced type.
IPBX
Initialism of Internet Protocol private branch exchange: A business telephone system designed to deliver voice over a data network and interoperate with the normal Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
IPD
nounConstruction
Initialism of integrated project delivery.
IPL
Initialism of international private line.
IPM
Abbreviation of interior permanent magnet.
IPS
Initialism of in-plane switching (“an LCD screen technology”).
IPT
Initialism of iron pipe thread.
IR
Initialism of inertial reference.
IRI
Initialism of international roughness index A dimensionless quantity used for measuring road roughness, proposed as a world standard by the World Bank.
iris
A constricted opening in the path inside a waveguide, used to form a resonator.
iron
nounMetallurgy
Any material, not a steel, predominantly made of elemental iron.
iron carbide
nounMetallurgy
A compound of iron with carbon (Fe₃C).
iron horse
A railroad steam locomotive.
iron ore
A mineral deposit from which iron can be viably extracted.
IRS
Initialism of inertial reference system.
ISA
Initialism of intelligent speed assistance / adaptation.
ISDN
Initialism of integrated services digital network.
ISEE
Abbreviation of International Sun Earth Explorer (later renamed to International Cometary Explorer ICE).
ISF
Initialism of Impulse Sensitivity Function.
island platform
nounRail equipment
A railway platform which has tracks on both sides.
isochromatic
adjectiveOptics and imaging
Having the same colour or wavelength.
isohume
An isoline connecting places in which the coal seam has equal moisture content.
ISS
Initialism of International Space Station.
Italian
nounManufacturing
Ellipsis of Italian cloth.
Italian cloth
A type of linen or cotton cloth with a satin finish, used primarily for linings.
ITB
nounAutomotive
Abbreviation of individual throttle body: an engine configuration with an intake valve per cylinder.
ITS
Initialism of intelligent transportation system.
IVIS
nounAutomotive
Initialism of in-vehicle information system.
IXV
Initialism of Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, an experimental space vehicle of the European Space Administration.
Iznikware
A kind of pottery from the town of İznik in western Anatolia, produced from the last quarter of the 15th century until the end of the 17th century.
I²C
Initialism of Inter-Integrated Circuit, a standard for integrated circuit communication using two lines.