analogue

analogue or sometimes (US) analog (ˈænəˌlɒɡ)
—n
1.	a.  a physical object or quantity, such as a pointer on a dial or a voltage, used to measure or represent another quantity
	b.  (as modifier): analogue watch; analogue recording
2.	something analogous to something else
3.	biology an analogous part or organ
4.	chem
	a.  an organic chemical compound related to another by substitution of hydrogen atoms with alkyl groups: toluene is an analogue of benzene
	b.  an organic compound that is similar in structure to another organic compound: thiols are sulphur analogues of alcohols
5.	informal digital native Compare digital immigrant a person who is afraid of using new technological devices
analog or sometimes (US) analog
—n

analogue

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.

analog or analogue   (ān'ə-lôg')  Pronunciation Key  Adjective   Measuring or representing data by means of one or more physical properties that can express any value along a continuous scale. For example, the position of the hands of a clock is an analog representation of time. Compare digital. Noun   An organ or structure that is similar in function to one in another kind of organism but is of dissimilar evolutionary origin. The wings of birds and the wings of insects are analogs. A chemical compound that has a similar structure and similar chemical properties to those of another compound, but differs from it by a single element or group. The antibiotic amoxicillin, for example, is an analog of penicillin, differing from the latter by the addition of an amino group. Compare homologue.

analogue definition

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)