impactor

Any of several machines or devices in which a part impacts on another, or on a material.

Noun

  1. Any of several machines or devices in which a part impacts on another, or on a material.
    • cascade impactor
  2. An object which impacts another.
    • Chicxulub impactor
    • Although Dr. Bottke remains unconvinced that the impactor had a cometary origin, he noted that the asteroid explanation also raised many exciting and unresolved questions. - 2021 February 15, Becky Ferreira, “Where Did...

Origin

Borrowed from New Latin impāctor, from impingō + -tor.

Forms

impactors