brown out
Partial power failure
A brownout is a partial reduction in electrical power, causing lights to dim rather than go out completely—distinguished from a blackout, which is total power loss.
The heat wave triggered brownouts across the city.
By extension, to brown out is to experience a partial memory blackout from intoxication—you recall fragments but have gaps: I didn't black out, but I definitely browned out toward the end of the night.
Deliberate power interruption
- grid failureElectrical network collapse
- electricityEnergy from charged particles
- utilityFunctional worth or purpose
- transformerVoltage-altering electrical device
circuit · infrastructure · distribution · transmission · power supply · dimming · undervoltage · energy conservation
Decreasing in brightness
- flickerUnsteady, brief light
- waverHesitate or fluctuate
- sputterEmit irregular popping sounds
- falterLose momentum or steadiness
pulse · intermittent · blink · fluctuation · oscillation · unstable · surge · dip
Impaired by alcohol
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
- memory lossFailure to recall
- binge drinkingRapid excessive alcohol consumption
- inebriationDrunken state
stupor · hangover · impairment · disorientation · hazy · foggy · amnesia · intoxicated
load shedding
Deliberate power interruption
- grid failureElectrical network collapse
- electricityEnergy from charged particles
- utilityFunctional worth or purpose
transformer · circuit · infrastructure · distribution · transmission · power supply · dimming · undervoltage · energy conservation · voltage drop
dimming
Decreasing in brightness
falter · pulse · intermittent · blink · fluctuation · oscillation · unstable · surge · dip · weakening
drunk
Impaired by alcohol
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
- memory lossFailure to recall
- binge drinkingRapid excessive alcohol consumption
inebriation · stupor · hangover · impairment · disorientation · hazy · foggy · amnesia · intoxicated · wasted
brown outfull power
Maximum operational capacity
power surge · voltage spike · overvoltage · power boost · surge
brown outwide awake
Totally alert and attentive
alert · lucid · clear-headed · sober · black out