elec|tri|cian / I lektr I ʃ ə n, iː lek-/ (electricians ) N‑COUNT An electrician is a person whose job is to install and repair electrical equipment.
elec|tric|ity ◆◇◇ / I lektr I s I ti, iː lek-/ N‑UNCOUNT Electricity is a form of energy that can be carried by wires and is used for heating and lighting, and to provide power for machines. □ The electricity had been cut off. WORD HISTORY electricity
Electricity comes from the Greek word ēlektron , meaning 'amber'. The ancient Greeks had found out that if you rub a piece of amber, it will attract small particles by the force that we now understand to be electricity.
elec|trics / I le ktr I ks/ N‑PLURAL You can refer to a system of electrical wiring as the electrics . [BRIT ] □ Plumbing and electrics are installed to a high standard.
ele c|tric sho ck (electric shocks ) N‑COUNT If you get an electric shock , you get a sudden painful feeling when you touch something which is connected to a supply of electricity.
elec|tri|fi|ca|tion / I le ktr I f I ke I ʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The electrification of a house, town, or area is the connecting of that place with a supply of electricity. □ …rural electrification.
2 → see also electrify
elec|tri|fied / I le ktr I fa I d/ ADJ [ADJ n] An electrified fence or other barrier has been connected to a supply of electricity, so that a person or animal that touches it will get an electric shock. □ The house was set amid dense trees and surrounded by an electrified fence.
elec|tri|fy / I le ktr I fa I / (electrifies , electrifying , electrified )
1 VERB [usu passive] If people are electrified by an event or experience, it makes them feel very excited and surprised. □ [be V -ed +by ] The world was electrified by his courage and resistance. ● elec|tri|fy|ing ADJ □ He gave an electrifying performance.
2 VERB [usu passive] When a railway system or railway line is electrified , electric cables are put over the tracks, or electric rails are put beside them, so that the trains can be powered by electricity. □ [be V -ed] The west-coast line was electrified as long ago as 1974. □ [V -ed] …the electrified section of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.
PREFIX electro-
is used to form words that refer to electricity or processes involving electricity. For example, if someone is electrocuted , they are killed or injured by electricity.
elec|tro|car|dio|gram / I le ktroʊkɑː r dioʊgræm/ (electrocardiograms ) N‑COUNT If someone has an electrocardiogram , doctors use special equipment to measure the electric currents produced by that person's heart in order to see whether it is working normally.
e|lec|tro|chem|i|cal / I le ktroʊke m I k ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] An electrochemical process or reaction is one in which electricity is produced by a chemical reaction. □ The technology uses an electrochemical process to produce electricity.
elec|tro|cute / I le ktrəkjuːt/ (electrocutes , electrocuting , electrocuted )
1 VERB If someone is electrocuted , they are accidentally killed or badly injured when they touch something connected to a source of electricity. □ [be V -ed] Three people were electrocuted by falling power-lines. □ [V pron-refl] He accidentally electrocuted himself.
2 VERB [usu passive] If a criminal is electrocuted , he or she is executed using electricity. □ [be V -ed] He was electrocuted for a murder committed when he was 17. ● elec|tro|cu|tion / I le ktrəkjuː ʃ ə n/ (electrocutions ) N‑VAR □ The court sentenced him to death by electrocution.
elec|trode / I le ktroʊd/ (electrodes ) N‑COUNT An electrode is a small piece of metal or other substance that is used to take an electric current to or from a source of power, a piece of equipment, or a living body. □ The patient's brain activity is monitored via electrodes taped to the skull.
elec|troly|sis / I lektrɒ l I s I s, iː -/ N‑UNCOUNT Electrolysis is the process of passing an electric current through a substance in order to produce chemical changes in the substance. [TECHNICAL ]
elec|tro|lyte / I le ktrəla I t/ (electrolytes ) N‑COUNT An electrolyte is a substance, usually a liquid, which electricity can pass through. [TECHNICAL ]
elec|tro|mag|net / I le ktroʊmæ gn I t/ (electromagnets ) N‑COUNT An electromagnet is a magnet that consists of a piece of iron or steel surrounded by a coil. The metal becomes magnetic when an electric current is passed through the coil.
elec|tro|mag|net|ic / I le ktroʊmægne t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Electromagnetic is used to describe the electrical and magnetic forces or effects produced by an electric current. □ …electromagnetic fields.
elec|tron / I le ktrɒn/ (electrons ) N‑COUNT An electron is a tiny particle of matter that is smaller than an atom and has a negative electrical charge. [TECHNICAL ]
elec|tron|ic ◆◇◇ / I lektrɒ n I k, iː -/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] An electronic device has transistors or silicon chips which control and change the electric current passing through the device. □ …expensive electronic equipment.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An electronic process or activity involves the use of electronic devices. □ …electronic surveillance. □ …electronic music. ● elec|troni|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Data is transmitted electronically. □ …an electronically controlled dishwasher.
elec|tro n|ic boo k (electronic books ) N‑COUNT An electronic book is the same as an e-book . [COMPUTING ]
elec|tro n|ic mai l N‑SING Electronic mail is the same as email .