electric
pronunciation
How to pronounce electric in British English:
UK [ɪˈlektrɪk]
How to pronounce electric in American English:
US [ɪˈlektrɪk]
-
- Noun:
- a car that is powered by electricity
-
- Adjective:
- using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
- (of a situation) exceptionally tense
- affected by emotion as if by electricity; thrilling
Word Origin
- electric (adj.)
- 1640s, first used in English by physician Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682), apparently coined as Modern Latin electricus (literally "resembling amber") by English physicist William Gilbert (1540-1603) in treatise "De Magnete" (1600), from Latin electrum "amber," from Greek elektron "amber" (Homer, Hesiod, Herodotus), also "pale gold" (a compound of 1 part silver to 4 of gold); which is of unknown origin. Vim illam electricam nobis placet appellare [Gilbert] Originally the word described substances which, like amber, attract other substances when rubbed. Meaning "charged with electricity" is from 1670s; the physical force so called because it first was generated by rubbing amber. In many modern instances, the word is short for electrical. Figurative sense is attested by 1793. Electric light is from 1767. Electric toothbrush first recorded 1936; electric blanket in 1930. Electric typewriter is from 1958. Electric guitar is from 1938; electric organ coined as the name of a hypothetical future instrument in 1885.
Synonym
Example
- 1. Mr yu was inspired by radio-controlled electric planes .
- 2. General electric runs compliance training throughout its global businesses .
- 3. Zhuzhou electric locomotive could not be reached for comment thursday .
- 4. Is the future of electric cars in china ?
- 5. Electric cars are evolving quickly .