Adapter
/əˈdæptər/
Definitions
2 meaningsA device or piece of equipment that allows different things to be connected or made compatible.
/əˈdæptər/
A device that enables compatibility
The power adapter is essential for charging the laptop.
💡 Simply: Something that helps two different things work together.
More Examples
She used a travel adapter to charge her phone abroad.
How It's Used
"I need an adapter to plug my European appliance into a US outlet."
"This adapter allows you to connect your old printer to the new computer."
A person who adapts or modifies something, often a work of art or text, for a different medium or purpose.
/əˈdæptər/
A person who adapts something
The adapter for the play ensured its success on screen.
💡 Simply: A person who changes something to fit a new situation.
How It's Used
"The adapter skillfully changed the novel into a screenplay."
From the verb "adapt", ultimately from Latin "adaptare" (to fit, adjust). The suffix "-er" denotes an agent or instrument.
The word's usage in relation to technology became increasingly common in the late 20th century with the rise of consumer electronics.
Memory tip
Think of it as something that 'adapts' things to fit together.