Definitions for: Electricity


[n] keen and shared excitement; "the stage crackled with electricity whenever she was on it"
[n] a physical phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons and protons
[n] energy made available by the flow of electric charge through a conductor; "they built a car that runs on electricity"



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.

Synonyms: electrical energy

See Also: AC, alternating current, current electricity, DC, direct current, dynamic electricity, energy, galvanism, hydroelectricity, physical phenomenon, piezo effect, piezoelectric effect, piezoelectricity, signal, static electricity, stir, thermoelectricity

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