a. and sb. [ad. mod.L. ēlectric-us, f. L. ēlectr-um, Gr. ἤλεκτρον amber: see ELECTR-UM and -IC. The mod.L. word seems to have been first used by W. Gilbert in his treatise De Magnete, 1600.] A. adj.
1. a. Possessing the property (first observed in amber) of developing electricity when excited by friction or by other means.
Originally the word had reference only to the property of attracting light bodies, even the phenomenon of electrical repulsion being a later discovery (Gilbert indeed mentions the non-existence of such a phenomenon as an evidence of a distinction between magnetism and electricity).
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., II. iv. 78. By Electrick bodies do I conceive … such as conveniently placed unto their objects attract all bodies palpable.
b. Charged with electricity, excited to electrical action. Positively or negatively electric: charged with positive or negative electricity.
2. Of the nature of, or pertaining to, electricity; producing, caused by, or operating by means of, electricity.
Except in the phrases in b, ELECTRICAL is now more usual in this sense. In some cases the choice between the two adjs. is somewhat arbitrarily restricted by usage: thus we usually say ‘an electrical machine,’ but ‘an electric battery.’
1675. Newton, in Rigaud, Corr. Sci. Men (1841), II. 377. The electric virtue of the glass.
1752. Franklin, Lett., Wks. 1840, V. 296. From electric fire … spirits may be kindled.
1803. Med. Jrnl., IX. 286. The electric power has efficacy sufficient to cure diseases.
1839. G. Bird, Nat. Philos., Introd. p. xxviii. The effects of chemical affinity and electric action being so connected.
1851. Carpenter, Man. Phys., 464. A lady … who was for many months in an electric state so different from that of surrounding bodies, that [etc.].
b. Forming phraseological comb. with sbs., as in electric arc, the luminous electrified space between the points of two electrodes through which a powerful electric current is passing; electric atmosphere, the space round electrical bodies within which they manifest their special properties; electric charge, the accumulation or condensation of electricity in a Leyden jar or the like; electric circuit, the passage of electricity from a body in one electric state to one in another through a conductor, also the conductor; electric conflict (see quot.); electric current, the flow of electricity through a conducting body from the positive to the negative pole, or from a high to a low potential; electric density or thickness, the quantity of electricity found at any moment on a given surface; electric discharge, the escape of electricity from a Leyden jar or similar apparatus; electric eel = GYMNOTUS; † electric fire, used by Franklin as = electric fluid; electric fishes, certain fishes that can give electric shocks; electric fluid, Franklin’s term for a (supposed) subtle, imponderable, all-pervading fluid, the cause of electrical phenomena; electric force, the force with which electricity tends to move matter; electric ray = TORPEDO; electric residue, a second charge that tends to arise in a discharged Leyden jar; electric resistance, the opposition offered by a body to the passage of an electric current through it (the reverse of conductivity); electric shock, the effect on the animal body of a sudden discharge from a Leyden jar, etc.; electric spark, the luminous discharge from the conductor of an electrical machine to a pointed body presented to it; electric tension, the strain or pressure exerted upon a dielectric in the neighborhood of an electrified body.
Also in many names of instruments for developing, measuring, illustrating, or applying electricity, and of machines, etc., in which electricity serves as the motive or controlling power, as in electric alarm, annunciator, clock, escapement, furnace, fuse, governor, heater, lamp, pendulum, piano, railway, regulator, steam-gauge, telegraph, telegrapher (see these sbs.); electric balance, an instrument for measuring the attractive or repulsive force of electrified bodies; electric battery (see BATTERY 10); electric bridge, an arrangement of electrical circuits used for measuring the resistance of an element of the circuit; electric candle, a form of electric-light apparatus in which the carbon pencils are parallel and separated by a layer of plaster of Paris: electric chimes, three bells suspended on a metal rod, rung by electricity; electric column, a form of the voltaic pile; electric egg, an ellipsoidal glass egg, with metallic caps at either end, which, when exhausted of air, may by the action of an electrical machine be filled with faint violet light; electric harpoon, one in which a bursting charge is exploded by electricity; electric helix, a screw-shaped coil of copper wire, used in forming an electro-magnet; electric indicator, indicating electro-magnetic currents; electric kite, that devised by Franklin to attract electricity from the air; electric log, a ship’s log registering by electricity; electric machine, usu. spec. a machine for developing frictional electricity; electric regulator, for stopping or starting a machine by electro-magnetic circuit; electric signal, a signal conveyed by electric influence; electric switch, a device for interrupting or dividing one circuit and transferring it or part of it to another circuit, a commutator; electric timeball, a large hollow globe dropped at a particular time by an electric circuit; electric torch, a gas-lighter worked by electric action; electric wand, a baton-shaped electrophorus; electric wires, those of the electric telegraph.
1879. G. Prescott, Sp. Telephone, 104. A wire bearing an electric current seems to be for the time surrounded … by an *electric atmosphere. Ibid., 5. The Speaking Telephone … is a device for transmitting … over an *electric circuit … various kinds of sound.
1884. F. J. Britten, Watch & Clockm., 100. *Electric clocks may be divided into three classes.
1823. J. Badcock, Dom. Amusem., 126. A zinc plate … was immersed in the liquid, and a wire united the extremities of the pile: the effect produced hereby, was termed the *electric conflict.
1837. Brewster, Magnet., 307. The influence of *electric currents.
1863. Tyndall, Heat, i. 19. The existence and direction of an electric current are shown by its action upon a freely suspended magnetic needle.
c. 1790. Imison, Sch. Arts, I. The *electric fluid with which the conductor is overloaded, repels the electric fluid from those parts of the threads, &c. which are next to it.
1854. Lardner, Mus. Sc. & Art, III. 119. The electric fluid is deposited in a latent state in unlimited quantity in the earth, the waters, the atmosphere.
1870. Rolleston, Anim. Life, Introd. p. lxxviii. The *electric organs of Fishes are not represented in higher Vertebrata.
1802. Paley, Nat. Theol., xix. (1817), 166. Power of giving the *electric shock.
1839. G. Bird, Nat. Philos., 230. Electricity … will discharge itself through his arms, producing an electric shock.
1812. Sir H. Davy, Chem. Philos., 105. When two in volume of this gas, and one in volume of oxygene, are acted upon by an *electric spark, over mercury, they inflame.
1854. Dickens, Hard T., II. vi. (C. D. ed.), 115. The *electric wires … ruled a colossal strip of music-paper out of the evening sky.
3. fig. Chiefly with reference to the swiftness of electricity, or to the thrilling effect of the electric shock; also in obvious metaphorical uses of the phrases in 2 b.
1793[?]. Coleridge, Songs of Pixies, v. The electric flash, that from the melting eye Darts the fond question or the soft reply.
1819. L. Hunt, Indicator, No. 6. We … feel the electric virtue of his [Shakspeare’s] hand.
1830. Sir J. Herschel, Stud. Nat. Phil., I. ii. (1851), 29. The effect on all on board might well be conceived to have been electric.
1831. Carlyle, Sart. Res. (1858), 175. Wait a little, till the entire nation is in an electric state.
1871. Palgrave, Lyr. Poems, 133. A thrill of electric pain Smote through each English breast.
4. Electric blue: a trade name for a steely-blue color used for textile fabrics.
5. Comb., as † electric-magnetic = ELECTRO-MAGNETIC.
1823. J. Badcock, Dom. Amusem., 71. Ascribing to the influence of electric magnetic causes the accuracy with which he succeeds in all his experiments.
B. sb.
1. A substance in which the electric force can be excited and accumulated by friction. See A. 1.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., II. iv. 81. Our other discourse of Electricks concerneth a generall opinion touching Jet and Amber.
1664. Power, Exp. Philos., II. 133. The effluviums of an Electrick upon its retreat, pluck up Straws.
1748. Franklin, Lett., Wks. 1840, V. 211. Air is an electric per se.
1832. Nat. Phil., II. Electric, iii. § 56. 14 (Usef. Knowl. Soc.). The essential parts of … an electrical machine … are the electric, the rubber, [etc.].
1870. R. Ferguson, Electr., 51. The term electrics is applied to those substances which, when held in the hands and rubbed, become electric.
2. Positive (negative) electrics: = electro-positive (-negative) substances.
1842. Turner, Chem. (ed. 7), 130. Negative Electrics.—Oxygen, sulphur, nitrogen, [etc.]. Positive Electrics.—Potassium, sodium, lithium, [etc.].
