electricity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   keen and shared excitement

   The stage crackled with electricity whenever they were on it.

2. 2
   noun

   energy made available by the flow of electric charge through a conductor

   they built a car that runs on electricity

3. 3
   noun

   Originally, a property of amber and certain other nonconducting substances to attract lightweight material when rubbed, or the cause of this property; now understood to be a phenomenon caused by the distribution and movement of charged subatomic particles and their interaction with the electromagnetic field.

   Again, the concretion of Ice will not endure a dry attrition without liquation ; for if it be rubbed long with a cloth, it melteth. But Cryſtal will calefie unto electricity ; that is, a power to attract ſtraws or light bodies, and convert the needle freely placed.

4. 4
   noun

   The study of electrical phenomena; the branch of science dealing with such phenomena.

   He took up the job of studying electricity in college.

5. 5
   noun

   A feeling of excitement; a thrill.

   Opening night for the new production had an electricity unlike other openings.

6. 6
   noun

   Electrical power, as supplied by power stations or generators.

   This heater draws more than a thousand watts of electricity.

7. 7
   noun

   Electrical energy, as supplied by power stations or generators.

   Last year this portion of the grid consumed more than a thousand megawatt-hours of electricity.

8. 8
   noun

   The supply of electricity, as a utility.

   Electricity bosses set to make record profits.

Etymology

From electric + -ity.