electric

electric
electric 1640s, first used in English by physician Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682), apparently coined as Mod.L. electricus (lit. "resembling amber") by English physicist William Gilbert (1540-1603) in treatise "De Magnete" (1600), from L. electrum "amber," from Gk. elektron "amber" (Homer, Hesiod, Herodotus), also "pale gold" (a compound of 1 part silver to 4 of gold); of unknown origin. Originally the word described substances which, like amber, attract other substances when rubbed. Meaning "charged with electricity" is from 1670s; the physical force so called because it first was generated by rubbing amber. In many modern instances, the word is short for electrical. Figurative sense is attested by 1793. Electric toothbrush first recorded 1936; electric typewriter 1958.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Electric — E*lec tric ([ e]*l[e^]k tr[i^]k), Electrical E*lec tric*al ([ e]*l[e^]k tr[i^]*kal), a. [L. electrum amber, a mixed metal, Gr. h lektron; akin to hle ktwr the beaming sun, cf. Skr. arc to beam, shine: cf. F. [ e]lectrique. The name came from the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • electric — ELÉCTRIC, Ă, electrici, ce, adj. Care aparţine electricităţii, privitor la electricitate, care produce sau are energie legată de prezenţa electricităţii. ♢ (Adverbial) Aparat care funcţionează electric. ♢ Energie electrică = energie proprie… …   Dicționar Român

  • Electric — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Electric puede referirse a: Electric, canción de la cantante británica Lisa Scott Lee. Electric Visual, compañía dedicada a la fabricación de gafas de sol y de snowboard. Electricidad, comúnmente conocida en inglés… …   Wikipedia Español

  • electric — [ē lek′trik, ilek′trik] adj. [ModL electricus (coined, 1600, by William GILBERT2 Sir William Schwenck), lit., produced from amber by rubbing < ML, of amber < L electrum, amber, electrum < Gr ēlektron, akin to ēlektōr, shining, the sun… …   English World dictionary

  • Electric — steht für verschiedene Musikalben: Electric (Paul Rodgers Album) Electric (Album), ein Album von The Cult Electric (Jack Ingram Album) Weiteres: Electric (Software) Diese Seite ist eine Begriffsklärung …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Electric — Album par The Cult Sortie 1987 Durée 38:49 Genre Hard rock Producteur Rick Rubin Label Begga …   Wikipédia en Français

  • electric — electric, electrical In most contexts electric is the natural choice, especially to describe a device that works by electricity (electric blanket / electric kettle). Electrical is reserved for contexts in which the meaning is, more generally,… …   Modern English usage

  • electric — ► ADJECTIVE 1) of, worked by, or producing electricity. 2) thrillingly exciting. ► NOUN (electrics) Brit. ▪ the system of electric wiring and parts in a house or vehicle. DERIVATIVES electrically adverb. ORIGIN …   English terms dictionary

  • Electric — E*lec tric, n. (Physics) A nonconductor of electricity, as amber, glass, resin, etc., employed to excite or accumulate electricity. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • electric — index incisive, provocative Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

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