47K pot.meter linear
a potentiometer is a variable resistor. generally there are three leads, with the middle lead being the wiper. "What is the wiper" you might ask. It is the physical mechanical device that is moving around changing the resistance when you turn the knob (or screw). if you connect the wiper and another lead to a circuit, you have yourself a variable resistor. if you connect the two outside leads and not the wiper, you should get a resistance of what it is labeled (in this case 47k).
now to linear.... linear means the amount of resistance based on the change of the wiper position. this is linear as opposed to logarithmic. for example, if you turn the knob on a circuit that changes the speed of blinking LEDs, you get a constant increase/decrease in speed with a linear potentiometer, but if you use a logarithmic pot, you then get a slow increase inspeed... followed by a slower increase in speed at the end (look at any log curve)
hope this helps!
david