Definition: Synthesizer

From New World Encyclopedia

Etymology

From synthesis, from Latin synthesis, from Ancient Greek σύνθεσις or súnthesis (a putting together, composition), from συντίθημι or suntíthēmi (put together, combine), from συν- or sun- (together) + τίθημι or títhēmi (set, place), plus suffixes -ize and -er.

Noun

synthesizer (plural synthesizers)

  1. (music) An electronic musical instrument that creates its sounds with electronics and generally is played via a keyboard.
  2. (music) An electronic instrument consisting of a module, or a set of modules, that creates its sounds with electronics and does not have any keyboard.
  3. (electronics) An electronic circuit that generates an electronic signal oscillation with accurate timing from a reference oscillator.
  4. (electronics) An electronic device that generates electronic signal patterns to test an electronic circuit.
  5. (software) A software program that allows a computer to be used as a musical instrument – virtual instrument

Derived terms

  • synthesist
  • speech synthesizer
  • voice synthesizer

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors copied and adjusted this Wiktionary entry in accordance with NWE standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit for this article is due to both New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions at Wiktionary is accessible to researchers here: