brownout
Partial power failure
A brownout is a partial reduction in electrical power, causing lights to dim rather than go out completely.
Unlike a blackout, some power remains.
The term extends to any temporary reduction in service or capacity: The website experienced brownouts during peak traffic.
Also used for a partial memory lapse from alcohol—less severe than blacking out.
Complete power loss
- voltageElectrical potential difference
- outageLoss of electrical service
- gridFramework of intersecting lines
- powerEnergy transfer rate
electricity · transformer · circuit · utility · current · infrastructure · transmission · distribution
Total absence of light
- gloomPervasive dimness or dejection
- twilightLight after sunset
- shadowLight blocked by object
- mutedMade quieter or softer
subdued · low-light · fading · flicker · waver · fluctuate · pulse · dimness
Limiting distribution during scarcity
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- demandForceful request or requirement
- supplyFurnish or stock
- capacityMaximum amount containable
peak · strain · scarcity · curtailment · restriction · allocation · quota · emergency
Break in continuity
- failureLack of success
- collapseSudden structural failure
- crashSudden violent impact
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
glitch · downtime · service · unreliable · unstable · intermittent · sporadic · equipment
blackout
Complete power loss
- voltageElectrical potential difference
- outageLoss of electrical service
- gridFramework of intersecting lines
power · electricity · transformer · circuit · utility · current · infrastructure · transmission · distribution · frequency
darkness
Total absence of light
muted · subdued · low-light · fading · flicker · waver · fluctuate · pulse · dimness · dusk
rationing
Limiting distribution during scarcity
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- demandForceful request or requirement
- supplyFurnish or stock
capacity · peak · strain · scarcity · curtailment · restriction · allocation · quota · emergency · crisis
interruption
Break in continuity
malfunction · glitch · downtime · service · unreliable · unstable · intermittent · sporadic · equipment · appliance
- electrical problemspower failure, power loss, power outage, outage, blackout
- energyelectricity, power, oil, fuel, gas
- electricityelectricity, battery, batteries, wire, wires
- burnoutburnout, emotional exhaustion, exhaustion, exhausted, overwork
- disruptionsinterruption, disturbance, interference, delay, obstruction
- infrastructure failuresbridge collapse, potholes, dam breach, power outage, water main breaks
brownoutfull power
Maximum operational capacity
peak power · power surge · overvoltage · voltage surge · surge