reperforator: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Historical
Quick answer
What does “reperforator” mean?
A device or machine that perforates something again, or that creates perforations based on a received signal (especially in telegraphy).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A device or machine that perforates something again, or that creates perforations based on a received signal (especially in telegraphy).
Historically, a telegraphic apparatus that automatically punches a paper tape with received Morse code signals, creating a perforated record that can be retransmitted or read. In broader modern contexts, it can refer to any machine that re-perforates materials like paper, film, or tickets.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries strong historical/technical connotations, primarily associated with early 20th-century telegraphy.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both dialects, encountered almost exclusively in technical manuals, historical accounts, or niche engineering contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “reperforator” in a Sentence
The [NOUN] used a reperforator to [VERB].The reperforator [VERB] the tape based on the signal.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reperforator” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The system was designed to reperforate the tape for relay transmission.
- We need to reperforate these tickets with the new date.
American English
- The machine will reperforate the film stock with sync marks.
- They had to reperforate the entire batch of cards.
adverb
British English
- [No adverbial form.]
American English
- [No adverbial form.]
adjective
British English
- [No common adjectival use. 'Reperforator' is primarily a noun.]
American English
- [No common adjectival use. 'Reperforator' is primarily a noun.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used in modern business contexts.
Academic
Used in historical papers on telecommunications or the history of technology.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary domain. Used in descriptions of legacy telegraph systems, museum exhibits, or by historians of engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reperforator”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reperforator”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reperforator”
- Misspelling as 'reperforater' or 're-perforator'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to reperforate' is possible but the noun 'reperforator' is standard).
- Assuming it is a common modern office device.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A regular hole punch is a simple manual tool. A reperforator is a specific, often automated, machine that creates perforations based on an input signal, historically used in telegraphy.
No, it is an extremely rare and specialized term. You will only encounter it in historical or very niche technical contexts related to legacy communication systems.
The primary use is as a noun. The related verb is 'to reperforate,' meaning to perforate again, but this is also very rare.
Its main purpose was to automatically convert an incoming electrical telegraph signal into a physically punched paper tape. This tape could then be read by another machine for retransmission or archiving, reducing errors and allowing for message store-and-forward.
A device or machine that perforates something again, or that creates perforations based on a received signal (especially in telegraphy).
Reperforator is usually technical/historical in register.
Reperforator: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈpɜːfəreɪtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriˈpɜːrfəreɪtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-doing the PERFORATION. A machine that punches holes AGAIN (RE) or based on a received message.
Conceptual Metaphor
A REPERFORATOR is a RECORDING SCRIBE for telegraphs; it physically inscribes the message as holes for later use.
Practice
Quiz
In which field was a 'reperforator' most historically significant?