Solenoid
/ˈsoʊ.lə.nɔɪd/noun
A coil of insulated wire that produces a magnetic field when an electric current passes through it, often used to create linear motion.
Did you know?The word was coined from Greek roots by analogy with the solenoid’s long, tube-like form; its modern electrical use developed after the rise of electromagnetism in the 19th century.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
sōlēn
“A tube, channel, or pipe”
Ancient Greek
Greek
eîdos
“Form, shape, or appearance”
19th Century
French
solénoïde
“A body or figure resembling a tube”
1823
French
solénoïde
“A mathematical or geometrical figure shaped like a long cylinder; associated with Ampère’s work”
Late 19th Century
English
solenoid
“A coil or helical conductor producing a magnetic field”
Modern English
English
solenoid
“An electromagnetic coil commonly used to generate linear mechanical movement”