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The word electric is derived from the Greek word for amber, elektron. It is only in modern times that practical use has been made of electricity, but some electrical phenomena have been known since antiquity. Certain philosophers of ancient Greece found that by rubbing amber with a piece of cloth, they could enable the amber to pick up light objects, such as feathers. In the 17th century, students of natural science began to discover that other natural phenomena were related to the effect of friction on amber.
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Examples of electric in a Sentence
Peter Lyon, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
England recently expanded this unresolved science by studying how the minuscule hairs of caterpillars deflect under static, to glean how electric information may help a caterpillar survive.
—Max G. Levy, WIRED, 27 Oct. 2024
New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024
Kohl’s has also stocked 50 percent more holiday cards, and shoppers will also find a deeper selection of pet, tech and electronics, personal care and wellness, kitchen electrics and novelty gifts.
—David Moin, WWD, 10 Oct. 2024
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“Electric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electric. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
electric
1 of 2 adjective
electric
2 of 2 nounAdjective
from scientific Latin electricus "produced from amber by friction," derived from earlier Latin electrum "amber," derived from Greek ēlektron (same meaning); so called because static electricity was first discovered by the friction produced by rubbing a piece of amber
Medical Definition
electric
adjective
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