di·ode (d   d )n. 1. An electronic device that restricts current flow chiefly to one direction. 2. An electron tube having a cathode and an anode. 3. A two-terminal semiconductor device used chiefly as a rectifier. |   thermionic diode |
diode
Noun
1. a semiconductor device for converting alternating current to direct current
2. an electronic valve with two electrodes between which a current can flow only in one direction [Greek di- double + hodos a way, road]
| diode (dd) An electrical device with two active terminals, an anode and a cathode, through which current passes more easily in one direction (from anode to cathode) than in the reverse direction. Diodes have many uses, including conversion of AC power to DC power, and the decoding of audio-frequency signals from radio signals. |  The heated cathode generates a cloud of electrons that are attracted by the anode, causing a current to flow from the cathode to the anode. Because the anode cannot generate electrons of its own, the current cannot flow in the opposite direction. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  diode - a thermionic tube having two electrodes; used as a rectifierelectron tube, thermionic tube, thermionic vacuum tube, thermionic valve, vacuum tube, tube - electronic device consisting of a system of electrodes arranged in an evacuated glass or metal envelope |
| 2. | diode - a semiconductor that consists of a p-n junction LED, light-emitting diode - diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used semiconductor device, semiconductor unit, semiconductor - a conductor made with semiconducting material |
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