An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An active semiconductor device with a small low-powered solid-state electronic device consisting of a semiconductor and three or more electrodes, used as an amplifier and rectifier and frequently incorporated into integrated circuit chips. Although much smaller in size than a vacuum tube, it performs similar functions without requiring current to heat a cathode.

See also: From trans-, from → transfer + -istor, from → resistor; → resistance.