Dictionary

impactor en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ɪmˈpæktə/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ɪmˈpæktɚ/ (General-American)

Etymology

Borrowed from New Latin impāctor, from impingō + -tor.

Meanings

1. Any of several machines or devices in which a part impacts on another, or on a material.
   • cascade impactor
2. An object which impacts another.
   • Although Dr. Bottke remains unconvinced that the impactor had a cometary origin, he noted that the asteroid explanation also raised many exciting and unresolved questions. 2021 February 15, Becky Ferreira, “Where Did the Dinosaur-Killing Impactor Come From?”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
   • Chicxulub impactor

Forms