ɪnˈdʌkʃən n. 1
the act or an
instance of inducting or inducing. 2
Med. the process of bringing on (esp. labour) by
artificial means. 3
Logic a the
inference of a
general law from particular instances (cf. DEDUCTION). b
Math. a means of proving a
theorem by
showing that if it is
true of
any particular case it is true of the
next case in a
series,
and then showing that it is
indeed true in
one particular case. c (foll. by of) the
production of (facts) to
prove a general
statement. 4 (often attrib.) a
formal introduction to a
new job,
position, etc. (attended an induction course). 5 Electr. a the production of an
electric or
magnetic state by the
proximity (without contact) of an electrified or magnetized
body. b the production of an electric
current in a
conductor by a
change of magnetic
field. 6 the
drawing of a
fuel mixture into the cylinders of an internal-combustion
engine. 7 US enlistment
for military service. øinduction-coil a coil for generating
intermittent high voltage from a
direct current. induction
heating heating by an induced electric current. [ME f. OF induction or L inductio (as INDUCE)]
