trafficator

trafficator

English

Etymology

traffic +‎ -ate +‎ -or

Noun

trafficator (plural trafficators)

1. A blinking light on a motor vehicle that indicates the direction in which it is about to turn.
   • 2014, Chris Ekpekurede, Laughing Over Serious Matters: Stories to Make You Laugh and Reflect

     There were vehicles following me, of course, but was any of them trailing me? […] Without any warning, and without signalling with the trafficator, I took a sudden right turn, hoping to shake off my trailer.

2. (historical) A semaphore device with a steady light that served the same purpose on early vehicles.

Synonyms

• blinker (informal)
• directional
• directional signal
• indicator (British, Australian)
• turn indicator
• turn signal (mostly US)

Translations

blinking light — see indicator

semaphore

Finnish: suuntaviitta