First Known Use: 1675
Dictionary
1electric
adjective elec·tric \i-ˈlek-trik, ē-\
: of or relating to electricity
: operated by electricity
: providing electricity
Full Definition of ELECTRIC
1
or elec·tri·cal \-tri-kəl\ : of, relating to, or operated by electricity <an electric current> <an electric heater>
2
: exciting as if by electric shock <an electric performance> <an electric personality>; also : charged with strong emotion <the room was electric with tension>
3
a : electronic 3a b : amplifying sound by electronic means —used of a musical instrument <an electric guitar>
4
: very bright <electric blue> <electric orange>
— elec·tri·cal·ly \-tri-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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Origin of ELECTRIC
New Latin electricus produced from amber by friction, electric, from Medieval Latin, of amber, from Latin electrum amber, electrum, from Greek ēlektron; akin to Greek ēlektōr beaming sun
Related to ELECTRIC
Other Electrical Engineering Terms
2electric
noun
Definition of ELECTRIC
1
archaic : a nonconductor of electricity used to excite or accumulate electricity
2
: something (as a light, automobile, or train) operated by electricity
First Known Use of ELECTRIC
1646
Other Electrical Engineering Terms
ELECTRICALLY Defined for Kids
electric
adjective elec·tric \i-ˈlek-trik\
Definition of ELECTRIC for Kids
1
or elec·tri·cal \-tri-kəl\ : of or relating to electricity or its use <an electric current> <electrical engineering>
2
: heated, moved, made, or run by electricity <an electric heater> <an electric locomotive>
3
: giving off sounds through an electronic amplifier <an electric guitar>
4
: having a thrilling effect <The singer gave an electric performance.>
— elec·tri·cal·ly adverb <electrically powered cars>
Word History of ELECTRIC
People in ancient Greece found that if they rubbed a piece of amber it would attract light things like straws and feathers. The rubbing gave the amber an electric charge. We owe the English word electric to this property of amber. Our word came from a Greek word ēlektron that meant “amber.”
Medical Dictionary
electric
adjective elec·tric \i-ˈlek-trik\
Medical Definition of ELECTRIC
: of, relating to, or operated by electricity
—elec·tri·cal·ly \-tri-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Variants of ELECTRIC
elec·tric or elec·tri·cal \-tri-kəl\
Learn More About ELECTRIC
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