ˈkämpənˌsād.ə(r), -ˌpen- noun
( -s )
Etymology: compensate + -or
: one that compensates: as
a. : autotransformer
b. : balancer set 1
c. : compass corrector
d. : a combination of quartz plates of wedge shape used to measure the phase difference between the two rectangular vibration components of elliptically polarized light
e. : a photographic device (as a star diaphragm or suitably graded neutral-density filter) for holding back the light in the middle of the field of a wide-angle lens to allow proper exposure at the corners
f. : a portion of a direction finder that automatically applies a correction to the direction indication and that commonly consists of a mechanical arrangement of cams
g. : a device fitted to the muzzle of a firearm that reduces recoil by directing part of the powder gases through a series of lateral vents — compare muzzle brake
h. : an electrical equalizer designed to compensate for the recording characteristic of a record and usually connected between a pickup and an amplifier