SOLENOID

[so.le.noid] n [F solenoide, fr. Gk solenoeides pipe-shaped, fr. Gk solen pipe] (1827): a coil of wire usu. in cylindrical form that when carrying a current acts like a magnet so that a movable core is drawn into the coil when a current flows and that is used esp. as a switch or control for a mechanical device (as a valve) -- so.le.noi.dal adj