[f. THERMO- + ELECTRICITY.] Electricity generated in a body by difference of temperature in its parts; esp. an electric current produced in a closed circuit composed of two dissimilar metals when one of the points of union is kept at a temperature different from that of the rest of the circuit. Also, that branch of electrical science which treats of currents produced by means of heat.
1823. [see THERMO-ELECTRIC 1].
1827. Cumming, Man. Electro-Dynamics, 189. On the electro-dynamic effects of heat, or thermo-electricity.
1830. Herschel, Nat. Philos., 341. The curious relations of electricity to heat, as exhibited in the phenomena of what has been called thermo-electricity.
1834. Edin. Rev., LIX. 167. The new branches of magneto-electricity and thermo-electricity.
1871. Tyndall, Fragm. Sc. (1879), II. xiv. 347. In 1826 Thomas Seebeck discovered thermo-electricity.
