Induction

1. The act or process of inducting or bringing in; introduction; entrance; beginning; commencement.
2. An introduction or introductory scene, as to a play; a preface; a prologue.
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.
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, Induction port, or Induction 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.