I can think of a hundred ways to describe a Maserati's ear-strafing exhaust note, but I'm rather at a loss to describe the nearly mute and rheostatic squeeze-and-go response of the Leaf.    From Wordnik.com.  [Getting a Charge From Nissan's New Leaf] Reference

V = 400, dc shunt, hoist raise 400kg at 2.5 m\sec, I =?. load is lowered R =? rheostatic break, eff.    From Wordnik.com.  [Yahoo! Answers: Latest Questions] Reference

V = 400, dc shunt, hoist raise 400kg at 2.5 m\sec, I =?. load is lowered R =? rheostatic break, eff m = 85%, eff hoist = 75?.    From Wordnik.com.  [Yahoo! Answers: Latest Questions] Reference

The rheostatic resistances introduced into this second circuit were made to depart more or less from that of the first, according as it was desired to introduce a greater or slighter periodic accent into the series.    From Wordnik.com.  [Harvard Psychological Studies, Volume 1 Containing Sixteen Experimental Investigations from the Harvard Psychological Laboratory.] Reference

320 leaden wire secondary elements charged for quantity with 3 Daniell elements, and afterward coupled for tension, served to charge a rheostatic machine formed of 50 condensers coupled for quantity.    From Wordnik.com.  [Scientific American Supplement, No. 441, June 14, 1884.] Reference