First Known Use: circa 1890
Dictionary
henry
noun hen·ry \ˈhen-rē\
plural henrys or henries
Definition of HENRY
: the practical meter-kilogram-second unit of inductance equal to the self-inductance of a circuit or the mutual inductance of two circuits in which the variation of one ampere per second results in an induced electromotive force of one volt
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Origin of HENRY
Joseph Henry
Henry
biographical name Hen·ry \ˈhen-rē\
Definition of HENRY
name of 8 kings of England: I 1068–1135 (reigned 1100–35); II 1133–1189 (reigned 1154–89); III 1207–1272 (reigned 1216–72); IV 1366–1413 (reigned 1399–1413); V 1387–1422 (reigned 1413–22); VI 1421–1471 (reigned 1422–61 & 1470–71); VII 1457–1509 (reigned 1485–1509); VIII 1491–1547 (reigned 1509–47)
Henry
biographical name
Definition of HENRY
name of 4 kings of France: I ca 1008–1060 (reigned 1031–60); II 1519–1559 (reigned 1547–59); III 1551–1589 (reigned 1574–89); IV (Henry III of Navarre) 1553–1610 (reigned 1589–1610)
Henry
biographical name
Definition of HENRY
1394–1460 the Navigator Port. prince
Henry
biographical name
Definition of HENRY
Joseph 1797–1878 Am. physicist
Henry
biographical name
Definition of HENRY
O. — see William Sydney porter
Henry
biographical name
Definition of HENRY
Patrick 1736–1799 Am. statesman & orator
Medical Dictionary
henry
noun hen·ry \ˈhen-rē\
plural henrys or henries
Medical Definition of HENRY
: the practical mks unit of inductance equal to the self-inductance of a circuit or the mutual inductance of two circuits in which the variation of one ampere per second results in an induced electromotive force of one volt
Biographical Note for HENRY
Henry, Joseph (1797–1878), American physicist. Henry was a schoolteacher in Albany, New York, and later a professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Princeton. He conducted a series of investigations into electric phenomena, particularly those related to magnetism. His first major achievement was building a powerful electromagnet, for which he developed insulated wire in order to make a closely wound coil of several layers. He is also credited with constructing primitive versions of the telegraph and the electric motor. In 1846 he became the first secretary and director of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. In recognition of his work, his name was given to the henry, the unit of electrical inductance, by international agreement in 1893.
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