英语词源字典 - 在线词源网站

electricity (n.)[electricity 词源字典]: 1640s (Browne, from Gilbert's Modern Latin), from electric (q.v.) + -ity. Originally in reference to friction.
Electricity seems destined to play a most important part in the arts and industries. The question of its economical application to some purposes is still unsettled, but experiment has already proved that it will propel a street car better than a gas jet and give more light than a horse. [Ambrose Bierce, "The Cynic's Word Book," 1906]
[electricity etymology, electricity origin, 英语词源]
electrification (n.): 1748, "state of being charged with electricity," noun of action from electrify.
electrify (v.): 1745, "to charge with electricity, cause electricity to pass through;" see electric + -fy. Figurative sense recorded by 1752. Meaning "convert a factory, industry, etc., to electrical power" is by 1902. Related: Electrified; electrifying.
electro-: before vowels electr-, word-forming element meaning "electrical, electricity," Latinized form of Greek elektro-, comb. form of elektron "amber" (see electric). As a stand-alone, formerly often short for electrotype, electroplate.
electrocardiogram (n.): 1904, from electro- + cardiogram.
electrocute (v.): "execute by electricity," 1889, American English, from electro- + back half of execute. The method first was used Aug. 6, 1890, in New York state, on William Kemmler, convicted of the murder of his common-law wife. In reference to accidental death by 1909. Electric chair is also first recorded 1889, the year the one used on Kemmler was introduced in New York as a humane alternative to hanging. Related: Electrocuted; electrocuting.
electrocution (n.): "execution by electricity," 1889, American English; noun of action from electrocute. Meaning "any death by electricity" is from 1897.
Electrocution, unless better performed than in the first instance, is a retrograde step rather than the contrary. The preliminary arrangements: the shaving of the head, the cutting of the clothing, the strapping in a chair, add much to the horror of the occasion. It is safe to say that electrocution is not the coming method of execution. ["The Medical Era," vol. vii, no. 9, Sept. 1890]
electrode (n.): "one of the two ends of an open electrical circuit," 1834, coined by English physicist and chemist Michael Faraday (1791-1867) from electro- + Greek hodos "way" (see cede) on the same pattern as anode, cathode.
electroencephalogram (n.): 1934, from electro- + encephalo-, comb. form of Modern Latin encephalon "brain" (see encephalitis) + -gram.
electrolysis (n.): 1834; the name was introduced by Faraday on the suggestion of the Rev. William Whewell (1794-1866), English polymath, from electro- + Greek lysis "a loosening," from lyein "to loosen, set free" (see lose). Originally of tumors, later (1879) of hair removal. Related: electrolytic.
electrolyte (n.): "substance decomposed by electrolysis," 1834, from electro- + Greek lytos "loosed," from lyein "to loose" (see lose).
electromagnet (n.): also electro-magnet, "magnet which owes its magnetic properties to electric current," 1822; see electro- + magnet.
electromagnetic (adj.): also electro-magnetic, 1821; see electro- + magnetic.
electromagnetism (n.): also electro-magnetism, 1821; see electro- + magnetism.
electron (n.): coined 1891 by Irish physicist George J. Stoney (1826-1911) from electric + -on, as in ion (q.v.). Electron microscope (1932) translates German Elektronenmikroskop.
electronic (adj.): 1901, "pertaining to electrons;" see electron + -ic; 1930 as "pertaining to electronics." Related: Electronically.
electronic mail (n.): 1977; see e-mail.
electronics (n.): 1910, from electronic; also see -ics. The science of how electrons behave in vacuums, gas, semi-conductors, etc.
electroplate (n.): 1844, from electro- + plate (n.).
electrotype (n.): "copy in metal made by electric action," 1840, from electro- + type (n.).