electricity English · revision 5216

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˌel.ɪkˈtrɪs.ə.ti/, /ˌiː.lekˈtrɪs.ə.ti/, US /iˌlekˈtrɪs.ə.t̬i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|en|electric|-ity]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(Klein 1966) first used by the physician Sir Thomas Browne in 1646, from William Gilbert's Modern Latin.^(Cresswell 2021)^(Klein 1966)^(Etymonline) Gilbert had used electricus in his treatise De Magnete (1600),^(Cresswell 2021) from [[la|ēlectrum|t=amber]], borrowed from [[grc|ἤλεκτρον|tr=ḗlektron|t=amber]],^(Cresswell 2021)^(Klein 1966) because rubbing amber produces a charge that attracts light objects.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The power of attracting light bodies that amber and other substances have when rubbed: 1646 in the OED.^(OED 1989)^(Cresswell 2021) It was first used of friction.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The branch of physics that studies it is from 1734.^(OED 1989) A figurative use, excitement or tension, is from 1791.^(OED 1989) Electric power supplied to buildings from a power station is from 1899.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1600 – Gilbert's electricus.^(Cresswell 2021)

+ * 1646 – electricity, in Browne.^(OED 1989)^(Cresswell 2021)

+ * 1734 – the science.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1791 – figurative.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1899 – a power supply.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A form of [[energy]] caused by the movement or presence of charged particles such as [[electron|alt=electrons]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Electric power supplied for lighting, heating and machines.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+ # The science of these phenomena.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Strong excitement or tension between people.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bioelectricity]]

+ * [[electret]]

+ * [[magnetoelectricity]]

+ * [[pyroelectricity]]

+ * [[triboelectricity]]

+ * [[photoelectricity]]

+ * [[piezoelectricity]]

+ * [[thermoelectricity]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[electric]]

+ * [[electron]]

+ * [[electrical]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}