ɪˈlektrɪk adj. & n. --adj. 1
of, worked
by, or charged
with electricity; producing or
capable of generating electricity. 2 causing or charged with
sudden and dramatic excitement (the
news had an electric
effect;
the atmosphere was electric). --n. 1 an electric
light,
vehicle, etc. 2 (in pl.)
electrical equipment. øelectric
blanket a blanket
that can be
heated electrically by an
internal element. electric blue a
steely or
brilliant light blue. electric
chair (in the US) an electrified chair used
for capital
punishment. electric
eel an eel-like
freshwater fish,
Electrophorus electricus,
native to S. America, that kills
its prey by electric shock. electric
eye colloq. a
photoelectric cell operating a
relay when the
beam of light illuminating it is obscured. electric
fence a fence charged with electricity,
often consisting of
one strand. electric
field a
region of electrical
influence. electric
fire an electrically operated
incandescent or
convector heater, usu.
portable and for
domestic use. electric
guitar a guitar with a built-in electrical
sound pick-up
rather than a
soundbox. electric
organ 1 Biol. the organ in
some fishes giving an electric shock. 2 Mus. an electrically-operated organ. electric ray
any of
several rays
which can
give an electric shock (see RAY(2)). electric
shaver (or razor) an electrical
device for
shaving, with oscillating blades
behind a
metal guard. electric shock the effect of a sudden
discharge of electricity on a
person or
animal, usually with stimulation of the nerves and
contraction of the muscles. electric
storm a
violent disturbance of the electrical
condition of the atmosphere. øøelectrically adv. [mod.L electricus f. L
electrum f. Gk elektron
amber, the
rubbing of which causes
electrostatic phenomena]