brownout en · NOUN
Etymology
A deverbal from brown out, by analogy with blackout.
Meanings
-
A period of low alternating current line voltage, causing a reduction in illumination.
The ancient elevator begins its descent. ... Its motor whines, its cables grind, but between the tenth and ninth stories a gatta-gatta-gatta detonates then dies with a phzzz-zzz-zz-z. ... Luisa manages a smile, just. “We might be here some time. Last month’s brownout lasted seven hours.” Well, at least I’m not confined with a psychopath, a claustrophobe, or Richard Ganga.
2004, David Mitchell, “Half-Lives: The First Luisa Rey Mystery”, in Cloud Atlas, →ISBN, pages 91-92:When demand for electricity exceeds the available supply, a brownout occurs.
-
A temporary dimming of vision, usually with a brown hue and accompanied by loss of peripheral vision or tunnel vision.
On rising suddenly from her chair she experienced a brownout and had to sit down again quickly.
-
A temporary closing of a fire station, usually due to budget restrictions.
Fire departments across the country have been forced to rely on rolling brownouts because of the recession.
- A power outage during the day; distinguished from a blackout, which occurs at night.
- (figuratively, uncommon) A moment or period where something is weakened, diminished or less effective.
-
(Australia, Hong-Kong, Philippines) A blackout, regardless of time of day.
Remember that you can't send or receive a fax if there is a brownout. ... Due to blackouts (the Philippine term is brownout), especially during the dry season, be prepared with a flashlight and don't forget to save your data in your PC.
1991, Philippine Smile:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| brown out | alternative | lexicographic | |
| brownouts | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| brown-out | alternative | lexicographic |
Coordinates
blackout (all senses)
Deriveds
Relateds
Synonyms
Translations (7)
mi hiko tāngangao (a period of low alternating current line voltage) · ru прова́л напряже́ния (a period of low alternating current line voltage) · it calo di tensione (a period of low alternating current line voltage) · es baja de voltaje (a period of low alternating current line voltage) · ru просадка (a period of low alternating current line voltage) · el πτώση τάσης (a period of low alternating current line voltage) · ru потемне́ние в глаза́х (temporary dimming of vision, usually with a brown hue and accompanied by loss of peripheral vision or tunnel vision)