The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Rheotome \Rhe"o*tome\ (r[=e]"[-o]*t[=o]m), n. [Gr. "rei^n to
flow + te`mnein to cut.] (Elec.)
An instrument which periodically or otherwise interrupts an
electric current. --Wheatstone.
[1913 Webster]