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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
Arsheeya Bajwa, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
Though the sport is traditionally synonymous with roaring combustion engines, the introduction of this electric vehicle could be a potential turning point as NASCAR explores the possibilities of electrification within stock car racing.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
As a cultural earthquake, Pryor’s decision to get political and unedited was as game-changing as Bob Dylan going electric.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025
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“Electric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electric. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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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