Defn: An instrument for detecting or measuring minute extension or movements of solid bodies. It consists essentially of a small rod, disk, or button of carbon, forming part of an electrical circuit, the resistance of which, being varied by the changes of pressure produced by the movements of the object to be measured, causes variations in the strength of the current, which variations are indicated by a sensitive galvanometer. It is also used for measuring minute changes of temperature. T. A. Edison.
TASK Task, n. Etym: [OE. taske, OF. tasque, F. tâche, for tasche, LL. tasca, taxa, fr. L. taxare to rate, appraise, estimate. See Tax, n. & v.]
1. Labor or study imposed by another, often in a definite quantity or
amount.
Ma task of servile toil. Milton.
Each morning sees some task begin, Each evening sees it close.
Longfellow.
2. Business; employment; undertaking; labor. His mental powers were equal to greater tasks. Atterbury. To take to task. See under Take.
Syn. — Work; labor; employment; business; toil; drudgery; study; lesson; stint.
TASK
Task, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tasked; p. pr. & vb. n. Tasking.]
1. To impose a task upon; to assign a definite amount of business, labor, or duty to. There task thy maids, and exercise the loom. Dryden.
2. To oppress with severe or excessive burdens; to tax.
3. To charge; to tax; as with a fault. Too impudent to task me with those errors. Beau. & Fl.
TASKER
Task"er, n.