electric English · revision 3777

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1646|origins=grc ἤλεκτρον}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /iˈlek.trɪk/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-new|ēlectricus|t=resembling amber, produced from amber by friction]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) coined by the English physicist William Gilbert in his treatise De Magnete (1600),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|ēlectrum|t=amber]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[grc|ἤλεκτρον|tr=ḗlektron|t=amber; pale gold]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) which is of unknown origin;^(Etymonline) Barnhart connects it with ēléktōr “the beaming sun”.^(Barnhart 1988) Barnhart thinks the English word was largely a shortening of the earlier [[electrical]] (1635).^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Possessing the property, first observed in amber, of attracting light bodies when rubbed: 1646, in Sir Thomas Browne,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) the 1640s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Originally the word described substances which, like amber, attract others when rubbed;^(Etymonline) the physical force was so called because it was first produced by rubbing amber.^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) “Charged with or pertaining to electricity” is from the 1670s,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and many modern uses are short for electrical.^(Etymonline) The figurative sense, thrilling, from the swiftness of electricity, is from 1793.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Electric light'' is from 1767,^(Etymonline) ''electric blue'' from 1873,^(OED 1989) the ''electric chair'' American from 1889,^(Barnhart 1988) the ''electric blanket'' from 1930,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) and the ''electric guitar'' from 1938.^(Etymonline) [[electrician]] is from 1751, in Franklin's writings.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1600 – Latin electricus, Gilbert.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1635 – ''electrical''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1646 – electric, in Browne.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1670s – charged with electricity.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1767 – ''electric light''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1793 – figuratively, thrilling.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1889 – ''electric chair''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1938 – ''electric guitar''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, producing or operated by [[electricity]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Thrilling; emotionally exciting.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Tense; charged with emotion: ''an electric atmosphere''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Of a musical instrument, amplified electronically: ''electric guitar''.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An electrically powered machine or vehicle.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''electrics'': an electric circuit or wiring.^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[electrically]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[electricity]]

+ * [[electrical]]

+ * [[electron]]

+ * [[electronic]]

+ * [[electrum]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}