Word Study
Electric
CIDE DICTIONARY
Electric, a. [L. electrum amber, a mixed metal, Gr. 'h`lektron; akin to 'hle`ktwr the beaming sun, cf. Skr. arc to beam, shine: cf. F. électrique. The name came from the production of electricity by the friction of amber.].
- Pertaining to electricity; consisting of, containing, derived from, or produced by, electricity; as, electric power or virtue; an electric jar; electric effects; an electric spark; an electric charge; an electric current; an electrical engineer. [1913 Webster]
- Capable of occasioning the phenomena of electricity; as, an electric or electrical machine or substance; an electric generator. [1913 Webster]
- Electrifying; thrilling; magnetic. Mrs. Browning. [1913 Webster]
- powered by electricity; as, electrical appliances; an electric toothbrush; an electric automobile. [WordNet 1.5]
Electric, n.
A nonconductor of electricity, as amber, glass, resin, etc., employed to excite or accumulate electricity. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
Electric, adj. & n.
--adj.
1 of, worked by, or charged with electricity; producing or capable of generating electricity.
2 causing or charged with sudden and dramatic excitement (the news had an electric effect; the atmosphere was electric).
--n.
1 an electric light, vehicle, etc.
2 (in pl.) electrical equipment.
--adj.
1 of, worked by, or charged with electricity; producing or capable of generating electricity.
2 causing or charged with sudden and dramatic excitement (the news had an electric effect; the atmosphere was electric).
--n.
1 an electric light, vehicle, etc.
2 (in pl.) electrical equipment.
Idiom
electric blanket a blanket that can be heated electrically by an internal element. electric blue a steely or brilliant light blue. electric chair (in the US) an electrified chair used for capital punishment. electric eel an eel-like freshwater fish, Electrophorus electricus, native to S. America, that kills its prey by electric shock. electric eye colloq. a photoelectric cell operating a relay when the beam of light illuminating it is obscured. electric fence a fence charged with electricity, often consisting of one strand. electric field a region of electrical influence. electric fire an electrically operated incandescent or convector heater, usu. portable and for domestic use. electric guitar a guitar with a built-in electrical sound pick-up rather than a soundbox. electric organ
1 Biol. the organ in some fishes giving an electric shock.
2 Mus. an electrically-operated organ. electric ray any of several rays which can give an electric shock (see RAY(2)). electric shaver (or razor) an electrical device for shaving, with oscillating blades behind a metal guard. electric shock the effect of a sudden discharge of electricity on a person or animal, usually with stimulation of the nerves and contraction of the muscles. electric storm a violent disturbance of the electrical condition of the atmosphere.
1 Biol. the organ in some fishes giving an electric shock.
2 Mus. an electrically-operated organ. electric ray any of several rays which can give an electric shock (see RAY(2)). electric shaver (or razor) an electrical device for shaving, with oscillating blades behind a metal guard. electric shock the effect of a sudden discharge of electricity on a person or animal, usually with stimulation of the nerves and contraction of the muscles. electric storm a violent disturbance of the electrical condition of the atmosphere.
Derivative
electrically adv.
Etymology
mod.L electricus f. L electrum f. Gk elektron amber, the rubbing of which causes electrostatic phenomena
THESAURUS
Electric
Amtrak, baggage train, cable railroad, charged, choo-choo, cog railroad, cog railway, el, electric car, electric train, electrifying, elevated, energized, exciting, express, express train, flier, freight, freight train, freighter, funicular, galvanizing, goods train, interurban, lightning express, limited, local, metro, milk train, monorail, moving, parliamentary, parliamentary train, passenger train, rack-and-pinion railroad, railroad train, rattler, rolling stock, shuttle, shuttle train, special, stimulating, stirring, streamliner, streetcar, subway, tense, thrilling, train, tram, tramcar, trolley, trolley car, tube, underground, way trainROGET THESAURUS
Electric
Feeling
N feeling, suffering, endurance, tolerance, sufferance, supportance, experience, response, sympathy, impression, inspiration, affection, sensation, emotion, pathos, deep sense, warmth, glow, unction, gusto, vehemence, fervor, fervency, heartiness, cordiality, earnestness, eagerness, empressement, gush, ardor, zeal, passion, enthusiasm, verve, furore, fanaticism, excitation of feeling, fullness of the heart, passion, ecstasy, blush, suffusion, flush, hectic, tingling, thrill, turn, shock, agitation, quiver, heaving, flutter, flurry, fluster, twitter, tremor, throb, throbbing, pulsation, palpitation, panting, trepidation, perturbation, ruffle, hurry of spirits, pother, stew, ferment, state of excitement, feeling, sentient, sensuous, sensorial, sensory, emotive, emotional, of feeling, with feeling, warm, quick, lively, smart, strong, sharp, acute, cutting, piercing, incisive, keen, keen as a razor, trenchant, pungent, racy, piquant, poignant, caustic, impressive, deep, profound, indelible, deep felt, home felt, heartfelt, swelling, soul-stirring, deep-mouthed, heart-expanding, electric, thrilling, rapturous, ecstatic, earnest, wistful, eager, breathless, fervent, fervid, gushing, passionate, warm-hearted, hearty, cordial, sincere, zealous, enthusiastic, glowing, ardent, burning, red-hot, fiery, flaming, boiling over, pervading, penetrating, absorbing, rabid, raving, feverish, fanatical, hysterical, impetuous, impressed with, moved with, touched with, affected with, penetrated with, seized with, imbued with, devoured by, wrought up, struck all of a heap, rapt, in a quiver, enraptured, heart and soul, from the bottom of one's heart, ab imo pectore, at heart, con amore, heartily, devoutly, over head and ears, head over heels, the heart big, the heart full, the heart swelling, the heart beating, the heart pulsating, the heart throbbing, the heart thumping, the heart beating high, the heart melting, the heart overflowing, the heart bursting, the heart breaking, the heart goes out, a heart as big as all outdoors (sympathy).Excitability
N excitability, impetuosity, vehemence, boisterousness, turbulence, impatience, intolerance, nonendurance, irritability, itching, wincing, disquiet, disquietude, restlessness, fidgets, fidgetiness, agitation, trepidation, perturbation, ruffle, hurry, fuss, flurry, fluster, flutter, pother, stew, ferment, whirl, buck fever, hurry-skurry, thrill, state of excitement, fever of excitement, transport, passion, excitement, flush, heat, fever, heat, fire, flame, fume, blood boiling, tumult, effervescence, ebullition, boiling over, whiff, gust, story, tempest, scene, breaking out, burst, fit, paroxysm, explosion, outbreak, outburst, agony, violence, fierceness, rage, fury, furor, furore, desperation, madness, distraction, raving, delirium, phrensy, frenzy, hysterics, intoxication, tearing passion, raging passion, anger, fascination, infatuation, fanaticism, Quixotism, Quixotry, tete montee, excitable, easily excited, in an excitable state, high-strung, irritable, impatient, intolerant, feverish, febrile, hysterical, delirious, mad, moody, maggoty- headed, unquiet, mercurial, electric, galvanic, hasty, hurried, restless, fidgety, fussy, chafing, startlish, mettlesome, high-mettled, skittish, vehement, demonstrative, violent, wild, furious, fierce, fiery, hot-headed, madcap, overzealous, enthusiastic, impassioned, fanatical, rabid, rampant, clamorous, uproarious, turbulent, tempestuous, tumultuary, boisterous, impulsive, impetuous, passionate, uncontrolled, uncontrollable, ungovernable, irrepressible, stanchless, inextinguishable, burning, simmering, volcanic, ready to burst forth, volatile, excited, exciting, Int, pish!, pshaw!, noli me tangere, filled with fury, rapt, inspir'd, maggiore fretta minore atto.Velocity
N velocity, speed, celerity, swiftness, rapidity, eagle speed, expedition, pernicity, acceleration, haste, spurt, rush, dash, race, steeple chase, smart rate, lively rate, swift rate, rattling rate, spanking rate, strapping rate, smart pace, lively pace, swift pace, rattling pace, spanking pace, strapping pace, round pace, flying, flight, lightning, greased lightning, light, electricity, wind, cannon ball, rocket, arrow, dart, hydrargyrum, quicksilver, telegraph, express train, torrent, eagle, antelope, courser, race horse, gazelle, greyhound, hare, doe, squirrel, camel bird, chickaree, chipmunk, hackee, ostrich, scorcher, Mercury, Ariel, Camilla, Harlequin, log, log line, speedometer, odometer, tachometer, strobe, radar speed detector, radar trap, air speed gauge, wind sock, wind speed meter, pedometer, fast, speedy, swift, rapid, quick, fleet, aliped, nimble, agile, expeditious, express, active, flying, galloping, light footed, nimble footed, winged, eagle winged, mercurial, electric, telegraphic, light-legged, light of heel, swift as an arrow, quick as lightning, quick as a thought, swiftly, with speed, apace, at a great rate, at full speed, at railway speed, full drive, full gallop, posthaste, in full sail, tantivy, trippingly, instantaneously, under press of sail, under press of canvas, under press of sail and steam, velis et remis, on eagle's wing, in double quick time, with rapid strides, with giant strides, a pas de geant, in seven league boots, whip and spur, ventre a terre, as fast as one's legs will carry one, as fast as one's heels will carry one, as fast as one can lay legs to the ground, at the top of one's speed, by leaps and bounds, with haste, vires acquirit eundo, I'll put a girdle about the earth in forty minutes, swifter than arrow from the Tartar's bow, go like a bat out of hell, tempus fugit.For further exploring for "Electric" in Webster Dictionary Online