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electricity |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Electricity \E`lec*tric"i*ty\, n.; pl {Electricities}. [Cf. F. ['e]lectricit['e]. See {Electric}.] 1. A power in nature, a manifestation of energy, exhibiting itself when in disturbed equilibrium or in activity by a circuit movement, the fact of direction in which involves polarity, or opposition of properties in opposite directions; also by attraction for many substances, by a law involving attraction between surfaces of unlike polarity, and repulsion between those of like by exhibiting accumulated polar tension when the circuit is broken; and by producing heat, light, concussion, and often chemical changes when the circuit passes between the poles or through any imperfectly conducting substance or space. It is generally brought into action by any disturbance of molecular equilibrium, whether from a chemical, physical, or mechanical, cause Note: Electricity is manifested under following different forms: a {Statical electricity}, called also {Frictional or Common}, {electricity}, electricity in the condition of a stationary charge, in which the disturbance is produced by friction, as of glass, amber, etc., or by induction. b {Dynamical electricity}, called also {Voltaic electricity}, electricity in motion, or as a current produced by chemical decomposition, as by means of a voltaic battery, or by mechanical action as by dynamo-electric machines. c {Thermoelectricity}, in which the disturbing cause is heat (attended possibly with some chemical action). It is developed by uniting two pieces of unlike metals in a bar, and then heating the bar unequally. d {Atmospheric electricity}, any condition of electrical disturbance in the atmosphere or clouds, due to some or all of the above mentioned causes. e {Magnetic electricity}, electricity developed by the action of magnets. f {Positive electricity}, the electricity that appears at the positive pole or anode of a battery, or that is produced by friction of glass; -- called also {vitreous electricity}. g {Negative electricity}, the electricity that appears at the negative pole or cathode, or is produced by the friction of resinous substance; -- called also resinous electricity. h {Organic electricity}, that which is developed in organic structures, either animal or vegetable, the phrase animal electricity being much more common. 2. The science which unfolds the phenomena and laws of electricity; electrical science. 3. Fig.: Electrifying energy or characteristic. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: electricity n 1: a form of energy associated with moving electrons and protons 2: energy made available by the flow of electric charge through a conductor [syn: {electrical energy}] 3: keen and shared excitement; "the stage crackled with electricity whenever she was on it" From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]: ELECTRICITY, n. The power that causes all natural phenomena not known to be caused by something else. It is the same thing as lightning, and its famous attempt to strike Dr Franklin is one of the most picturesque incidents in that great and good man's career. The memory of Dr Franklin is justly held in great reverence, particularly in France, where a waxen effigy of him was recently on exhibition, bearing the following touching account of his life and services to science: "Monsieur Franqulin, inventor of electricity. This illustrious savant, after having made several voyages around the world, died on the Sandwich Islands and was devoured by savages, of whom not a single fragment was ever recovered." Electricity seems destined to play a most important part in the arts and industries. The question of its economical application to some purposes is still unsettled, but experiment has already proved that it will propel a street car better than a gas jet and give more light than a horse.
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