positive-feedback
positive feedback
Dictionary.com Unabridged
noun
1.
Electronics.
a.
the process of returning part of the output of a circuit, system, or device to the input, either to oppose the input (negative feedback) or to aid the input (positive feedback)
2.
the furnishing of data concerning the operation or output of a machine to an automatic control device or to the machine itself, so that subsequent or ongoing operations of the machine can be altered or corrected.
3.
a reaction or response to a particular process or activity: He got very little feedback from his speech.
4.
evaluative information derived from such a reaction or response: to study the feedback from an audience survey.
5.
Psychology. knowledge of the results of any behavior, considered as influencing or modifying further performance. Compare biofeedback.
6.
Biology. a self-regulatory biological system, as in the synthesis of some hormones, in which the output or response affects the input, either positively or negatively.
Origin:
1915–20; noun use of verb phrase feed back
1915–20; noun use of verb phrase feed back
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To positive-feedback
00:10
Positive-feedback
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
feedback (ˈfiːdˌbæk) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a. the return of part of the output of an electronic circuit, device, or mechanical system to its input, so modifying its characteristics. In negative feedback a rise in output energy reduces the input energy; in positive feedback an increase in output energy reinforces the input energy |
| b. that part of the output signal fed back into the input | |
| 2. | the return of part of the sound output by a loudspeaker to the microphone or pick-up so that a high-pitched whistle is produced |
| 3. | the whistling noise so produced |
| 4. | a. the effect of the product of a biological pathway on the rate of an earlier step in that pathway |
| b. the substance or reaction causing such an effect, such as the release of a hormone in a biochemical pathway | |
| 5. | information in response to an inquiry, experiment, etc: there was little feedback from our questionnaire |
| —vb, —adv | |
| 6. | (tr) to return (part of the output of a system) to its input |
| 7. | to offer or suggest (information, ideas, etc) in reaction to an inquiry, experiment, etc |
| positive feedback | |
| —n | |
| See feedback | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
feedback feed·back (fēd'bāk')
n.
The return of a portion of the output of a process or system to the input, especially when used to maintain performance or to control a system or process.
The portion of the output so returned.
The return of information about the result of a process or activity.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
feedback  (fēd'bāk') Pronunciation Key
The supply of an input to some process or system as a function of its output. See more at negative feedback, positive feedback. |
| positive feedback
Feedback in which the output quantity or signal adds to the input quantity or signal. Positive feedback is responsible for the squealing of microphones when placed too close to the speaker through which their input signals are amplified. Compare negative feedback. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
feedback definition
A process in which a system regulates itself by monitoring its own output. That is, it “feeds back” part of its output to itself. Feedback is used to control machines; a heating system, for example, uses a thermostat to monitor and adjust its output. Feedback is also used by the human brain to control various muscles and joints.
Note: By extension, “feedback” is any response or information about the result of a process.
Note: Feedback is usually a feature of automation.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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