A large, primitive, power-hungry active electrical device, similar in
function to a FET but constructed out of glass, metal, and vacuum.
Characterized by high cost, low density, low reliability,
high-temperature operation, and high power dissipation. Sometimes
mistakenly called a tube in the U.S. or a valve in England; another
hackish term is {glassfet}.
[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {glassfet}]