initiator

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   One who initiates.

2. 2

   A substance that initiates a chain reaction or polymerization.

3. 3

   A component of a nuclear weapon that produces a burst of neutrons to start the chain…

   A component of a nuclear weapon that produces a burst of neutrons to start the chain reaction.

   • ‘This, er, initiator of polonium and lithium, would it be used in an anti-personnel bomb?’ he asked. ‘Oh yes, you could say so, boyo,’ replied the Welshman. ‘An initiator, you see, is what sets off a nuke.’
4. ›+ 2 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A task (in a mainframe computer) that initiates multiple jobs.

   2. 5

      A material whose presence in the body eventually leads to cancer.

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