Antenna \An*ten"na\, n.; pl. Antenn[ae]. [L. antenna
sail-yard; NL., a feeler, horn of an insect.]
1. (Zool.) A movable, articulated organ of sensation,
attached to the heads of insects and Crustacea. There are
two in the former, and usually four in the latter. They
are used as organs of touch, and in some species of
Crustacea the cavity of the ear is situated near the basal
joint. In insects, they are popularly called horns, and
also feelers. The term in also applied to similar organs
on the heads of other arthropods and of annelids.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Electronics) A metallic device, variously shaped,
designed for the purpose of either transmitting or
receiving radio waves, as for radio or television
broadcasting, or for transmitting communication signals.
Some types are: whip antenna, antenna tower, horn
antenna, dish antenna, directional antenna and
rabbit ears. See transmitter, receiver.
[PJC]
|
Dish \Dish\ (d[i^]sh), n. [AS. disc, L. discus dish, disc,
quoit, fr. Gr. di`skos quoit, fr. dikei^n to throw. Cf.
Dais, Desk, Disc, Discus.]
1. A vessel, as a platter, a plate, a bowl, used for serving
up food at the table.
[1913 Webster]
She brought forth butter in a lordly dish. --Judg.
v. 25.
[1913 Webster]
2. The food served in a dish; hence, any particular kind of
food, especially prepared food; as, a cold dish; a warm
dish; a delicious dish. "A dish fit for the gods." --Shak.
Home-home dishes that drive one from home. --Hood.
[1913 Webster]
3. The state of being concave, or like a dish, or the degree
of such concavity; as, the dish of a wheel.
[1913 Webster]
4. A hollow place, as in a field. --Ogilvie.
[1913 Webster]
5. (Mining)
(a) A trough about 28 inches long, 4 deep, and 6 wide, in
which ore is measured.
(b) That portion of the produce of a mine which is paid to
the land owner or proprietor.
[1913 Webster]
6. anything with a discoid and concave shape, like that of a
dish.
[PJC]
7. an electronic device with a concave reflecting surface
which focuses reflected radio waves to or from a point,
used as a receiving or transmitting antenna; also called
dish antenna. The dish is often shaped as a paraboloid
so as to achieve a high sensitivity and enable reception
of weak signals when used as a receiving antenna, or to
focus transmitted signals into a narrow beam when used as
a transmitting antenna.
Syn: dish aerial, dish antenna, saucer. [PJC]
8. a very attractive woman or young lady, especaially one
sexually attractive; -- sometimes considered offensive and
sexist; as, the departmental secretary is quite a dish.
[slang]
Syn: smasher, stunner, knockout, beauty, sweetheart, peach,
lulu, looker, mantrap, dish. [WordNet 1.5 + PJC]
9. a favorite activity, or an activity at which one excels.
[slang]
Syn: cup of tea, bag. [WordNet 1.5 + PJC]
10. the quantity that a dish will hold, or a dish filled with
some material.
Syn: dishful. [WordNet 1.5 + PJC]
satellite dish a dish antenna used to receive signals from
or to transmit signals to a satellite which transmits or
receives radio signals. In most common usage, it refers to
small dish antennas used to receive television programs
broadcast from geostationary satellites.
[PJC]
|