commutate

verb

com·​mu·​tate ˈkäm-yə-ˌtāt How to pronounce commutate (audio)
-yü-
commutated; commutating

transitive verb

: to reverse every other half cycle of (an alternating current) so as to form a direct current

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from commutation

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of commutate was in 1890

Dictionary Entries Near commutate

communize

commutate

commutating pole

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Commutate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commutate. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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