catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Electricity \E`lec*tric"i*ty\, n.; pl. Electricities. [Cf. F.
     ['e]lectricit['e]. See Electric.]
     1. A power in nature, a manifestation of energy, exhibiting
        itself when in disturbed equilibrium or in activity by a
        circuit movement, the fact of direction in which involves
        polarity, or opposition of properties in opposite
        directions; also, by attraction for many substances, by a
        law involving attraction between surfaces of unlike
        polarity, and repulsion between those of like; by
        exhibiting accumulated polar tension when the circuit is
        broken; and by producing heat, light, concussion, and
        often chemical changes when the circuit passes between the
        poles or through any imperfectly conducting substance or
        space. It is generally brought into action by any
        disturbance of molecular equilibrium, whether from a
        chemical, physical, or mechanical, cause.
  
     Note: Electricity is manifested under following different
           forms: (a)
  
     Statical electricity, called also
  
     Frictional or Common, electricity, electricity in the
        condition of a stationary charge, in which the disturbance
        is produced by friction, as of glass, amber, etc., or by
        induction. (b)
  
     Dynamical electricity, called also
  
     Voltaic electricity, electricity in motion, or as a current
        produced by chemical decomposition, as by means of a
        voltaic battery, or by mechanical action, as by
        dynamo-electric machines. (c)
  
     Thermoelectricity, in which the disturbing cause is heat
        (attended possibly with some chemical action). It is
        developed by uniting two pieces of unlike metals in a bar,
        and then heating the bar unequally. (d)
  
     Atmospheric electricity, any condition of electrical
        disturbance in the atmosphere or clouds, due to some or
        all of the above mentioned causes. (e)
  
     Magnetic electricity, electricity developed by the action
        of magnets. (f)
  
     Positive electricity, the electricity that appears at the
        positive pole or anode of a battery, or that is produced
        by friction of glass; -- called also vitreous
        electricity. (g)
  
     Negative electricity, the electricity that appears at the
        negative pole or cathode, or is produced by the friction
        of resinous substance; -- called also resinous
        electricity. (h)
  
     Organic electricity, that which is developed in organic
        structures, either animal or vegetable, the phrase animal
        electricity being much more common.
  
     2. The science which unfolds the phenomena and laws of
        electricity; electrical science.
  
     3. Fig.: Electrifying energy or characteristic.