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more about induction
induction |
4 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Induction \In*duc"tion\, n. [L. inductio: cf F. induction. See {Induct}.] 1. The act or process of inducting or bringing in introduction; entrance; beginning; commencement. I know not you nor am I well pleased to make this time, as the affair now stands, the induction of your acquaintance. --Beau. & Fl These promises are fair, the parties sure And our induction dull of prosperous hope. --Shak. 2. An introduction or introductory scene, as to a play; a preface; a prologue. [Obs.] This is but an induction: I will d?aw The curtains of the tragedy hereafter. --Massinger. 3. (Philos.) The act or process of reasoning from a part to a whole, from particulars to generals, or from the individual to the universal; also the result or inference so reached. Induction is an inference drawn from all the particulars. --Sir W. Hamilton. Induction is the process by which we conclude that what is true of certain individuals of a class, is true of the whole class, or that what is true at certain times will be true in similar circumstances at all times. --J. S. Mill. 4. The introduction of a clergyman into a benefice, or of an official into a office, with appropriate acts or ceremonies; the giving actual possession of an ecclesiastical living or its temporalities. 5. (Math.) A process of demonstration in which a general truth is gathered from an examination of particular cases, one of which is known to be true, the examination being so conducted that each case is made to depend on the preceding one -- called also {successive induction}. 6. (Physics) The property by which one body, having electrical or magnetic polarity, causes or induces it in another body without direct contact an impress of electrical or magnetic force or condition from one body on another without actual contact {Electro-dynamic induction}, the action by which a variable or interrupted current of electricity excites another current in a neighboring conductor forming a closed circuit. {Electro-magnetic induction}, the influence by which an electric current produces magnetic polarity in certain bodies near or around which it passes. {Electro-static induction}, the action by which a body possessing a charge of statical electricity develops a charge of statical electricity of the opposite character in a neighboring body. {Induction coil}, an apparatus producing induced currents of great intensity. It consists of a coil or helix of stout insulated copper wire, surrounded by another coil of very fine insulated wire, in which a momentary current is induced, when a current (as from a voltaic battery), passing through the inner coil, is made broken, or varied. The inner coil has within it a core of soft iron, and is connected at its terminals with a condenser; -- called also {inductorium}, and {Ruhmkorff's coil}. {Induction pipe}, {port}, or {valve}, a pipe, passageway, or valve, for leading or admitting a fluid to a receiver, as steam to an engine cylinder, or water to a pump. {Magnetic induction}, the action by which magnetic polarity is developed in a body susceptible to magnetic effects when brought under the influence of a magnet. {Magneto-electric induction}, the influence by which a magnet excites electric currents in closed circuits. {Logical induction}, (Philos.), an act or method of reasoning from all the parts separately to the whole which they constitute, or into which they may be united collectively; the operation of discovering and proving general propositions; the scientific method. {Philosophical induction}, the inference, or the act of inferring, that what has been observed or established in respect to a part individual, or species, may on the ground of analogy, be affirmed or received of the whole to which it belongs. This last is the inductive method of Bacon. It ascends from the parts to the whole, and forms, from the general analogy of nature, or special presumptions in the case, conclusions which have greater or less degrees of force, and which may be strengthened or weakened by subsequent experience and experiment. It relates to actual existences, as in physical science or the concerns of life. Logical induction is founded on the necessary laws of thought; philosophical induction, on the interpretation of the indications or analogy of nature. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Magnetic \Mag*net"ic\, Magnetical \Mag*net"ic*al\, a. [L. magneticus: cf F. magn['e]tique.] 1. Pertaining to the magnet; possessing the properties of the magnet, or corresponding properties; as a magnetic bar of iron; a magnetic needle. 2. Of or pertaining to or characterized by the earth's magnetism; as the magnetic north; the magnetic meridian. 3. Capable of becoming a magnet; susceptible to magnetism; as the magnetic metals. 4. Endowed with extraordinary personal power to excite the feelings and to win the affections; attractive; inducing attachment. She that had all magnetic force alone. --Donne. 5. Having susceptible to or induced by animal magnetism, so called as a magnetic sleep. See {Magnetism}. {Magnetic amplitude}, {attraction}, {dip}, {induction}, etc See under {Amplitude}, {Attraction}, etc {Magnetic battery}, a combination of bar or horseshoe magnets with the like poles adjacent, so as to act together with great power. {Magnetic compensator}, a contrivance connected with a ship's compass for compensating or neutralizing the effect of the iron of the ship upon the needle. {Magnetic curves}, curves indicating lines of magnetic force, as in the arrangement of iron filings between the poles of a powerful magnet. {Magnetic elements}. a (Chem. Physics) Those elements, as iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese, etc., which are capable or becoming magnetic. b (Physics) In respect to terrestrial magnetism, the declination, inclination, and intensity. c See under {Element}. {Magnetic equator}, the line around the equatorial parts of the earth at which there is no dip, the dipping needle being horizontal. {Magnetic field}, or {Field of magnetic force}, any space through which magnet exerts its influence. {Magnetic fluid}, the hypothetical fluid whose existence was formerly assumed in the explanations of the phenomena of magnetism. {Magnetic iron}, or {Magnetic iron ore}. (Min.) Same as {Magnetite}. {Magnetic needle}, a slender bar of steel, magnetized and suspended at its center on a sharp-pointed pivot, or by a delicate fiber, so that it may take freely the direction of the magnetic meridian. It constitutes the essential part of a compass, such as the mariner's and the surveyor's. {Magnetic poles}, the two points in the opposite polar regions of the earth at which the direction of the dipping needle is vertical. {Magnetic pyrites}. See {Pyrrhotite}. {Magnetic storm} (Terrestrial Physics), a disturbance of the earth's magnetic force characterized by great and sudden changes. {Magnetic telegraph}, a telegraph acting by means of a magnet. See {Telegraph}. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: induction n 1: a formal entry into a position or office; "his initiation into the club"; "he was ordered to report for induction into the arm" [syn: {initiation}, {installation}] 2: an electrical phenomenon whereby an electromotive force (EMF) is generated in a closed circuit by a change in the flow of current 3: reasoning from detailed facts to general principles [syn: {generalization}, {inductive reasoning}] 4: the process whereby changes in the current flow in a circuit produce magnetism or an EMF 5: stimulation that calls up (evokes or induces or elicits) a particular class of behaviors [syn: {evocation}, {elicitation}] 6: (physics) a property of an electric circuit by which an electromotive force is induced in it by a variation of current [syn: {inductance}] 7: an act that sets in motion some course of events [syn: {trigger}, {initiation}] From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (13 Mar 01) [foldoc]: inductionA method of proving statements about {well-ordered sets}. If S is a well-ordered set with ordering "<", and we want to show that a property P holds for every element of S, it is sufficient to show that for all s in S, IF for all t in S, t < s => P(t) THEN P(s) I.e. if P holds for anything less than s then it holds for s. In this case we say P is proved by induction. The most common instance of proof by induction is induction over the {natural numbers} where we prove that some property holds for n=0 and that if it holds for n, it holds for n+1. (In fact it is sufficient for "<" to be a {well-founded} {partial order} on S, not necessarily a well-ordering of S.) (1999-12-09)
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