analogue

an·a·logue also an·a·log   (ān'ə-lôg', -lŏg')    n.   Something that bears an analogy to something else: Surimi is marketed as an analogue of crabmeat. Biology An organ or structure that is similar in function to one in another kind of organism but is of dissimilar evolutionary origin. Chemistry A structural derivative of a parent compound that often differs from it by a single element. adj.   often analog Of, relating to, or being a device in which data are represented by continuously variable, measurable, physical quantities, such as length, width, voltage, or pressure. often analog Computer Science Of or relating to an analog computer. [French, analogous, analogue, from Medieval Latin analogus, from Greek analogos, proportionate; see analogous.]

Main Entry: an·a·logue
Variant: or an·a·log /'an-^&l-"og, -"äg/
Function: noun
1 : something that is analogous or similar to something else
2 : an organ similar in function to an organ of another animal or plant but different in structure and origin
3 usually analog : a chemical compound that is structurally similar to another but differs slightly in composition (as in the replacement of one atom by an atom of a different elementor in the presence of a particular functional group)

analogue an·a·logue or an·a·log (ān'ə-lôg')
n.

1. An organ or structure similar in function to one in another species but of dissimilar evolutionary origin.

2. A structural derivative of a parent chemical compound that often differs from it by a single element.

analogue electronics
(US: "analog") A description of a continuously variable signal or a circuit or device designed to handle such signals. The opposite is "discrete" or "digital".
Analogue circuits are much harder to design and analyse than digital ones because the designer must take into account effects such as the gain, linearity and power handling of components, the resistance, capacitance and inductance of PCB tracks, wires and connectors, interference between signals, power supply stability and more. A digital circuit design, especially for high switching speeds, must also take these factors into account if it is to work reliably, but they are usually less critical because most digital components will function correctly within a range of parameters whereas such variations will corrupt the outputs of an analogue circuit.
See also analogue computer.
(1995-11-14)