commutator vs zigzag

commutator

noun
  • An electrical switch, in a generator or motor, that periodically reverses the direction of an electric current. 

  • A binary map in a given group G, given by [g, h] = ghg⁻¹h⁻¹, where g and h are elements of G, which yields the group's identity if and only if the group operation commutes for g and h. 

  • A binary map in a given ring R, given by [a, b] = ab − ba, where a and b are elements of R, which yields the ring's zero element if and only if the multiplication operation commutes for a and b. 

zigzag

noun
  • A line or path that proceeds by sharp turns in alternating directions. 

  • One of these sharp turns. 

verb
  • To move or to twist in a zigzag manner. 

adj
  • Moving in, or having a zigzag. 

adv
  • in a zigzag manner or pattern 

How often have the words commutator and zigzag occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )