/ trænˈzɪstə(r); NAmE ; -ˈsɪst-/ noun
1.
a small electronic device used in computers, radios, televisions, etc. for controlling an electric current as it passes along a circuit
2.
(also tranˌsistor ˈradio ) (also informal tranny especially in BrE ) a small radio with transistors
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WORD ORIGIN
1940s: from transconductance , on the pattern of words such as varistor .