electro-, electr-, electri-

(Greek > Latin: electric, electricity; from amber, resembling amber, generated from amber which when rubbed vigorously [as by friction], produced the effect of static electricity)

Electronics in our lives consists of numerous tools

Equipment which we use everyday relies on electronics to function including calculators, car controls, cameras, washing machines, medical scanners, mobile telephones, radar systems, computers; as well as many other applications or devices which are listed in this unit.

acoustoelectric effect, electroacoustic effect (s) (noun); acoustoelectric effects; electroacoustic effects (pl)
The generation of a DC voltage in a crystal or in a metallic material resulting from sound waves traveling along the surface of metals: The sound engineering students were experimenting with the development of the acoustoelectric effects by using the different external tops of iron or steel surfaces.
acoustoelectronics (s) (noun) (no pl)
The use of microwave sound waves traveling through specialized solids: Acoustoelectronics is usually done with crystals or metals that react when bombarded with the noise and the processing of such vibrations.
active electrode, localizing electrode, exciting electrode (s); active electrodes, localizing electrodes, exciting electrodes (pl) (nouns)
A conductor which is small and which produces stimulation in a concentrated area or to record from a localized section: An electrode is used to make contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit; such as, a semiconductor or an electrolyte.
ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring (s) (noun), ambulatory electrocardiographic monitorings (pl)
An essential tool in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with cardiac arrhythmias: The ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring is used to help determine whether someone has an otherwise undetected heart disease; such as, an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia), or inadequate blood flow through the heart.

Specifically, ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring can detect abnormal electrical activity in the heart which may occur randomly or only under certain circumstances; such as, during sleep or periods of physical activity or stress, which may or may not be picked up by standard, short-term electrocardiography performed in a doctor's office.

The main complaint that people have with ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring is that the monitor may be cumbersome and interfere with certain activities; especially, sleeping; however, bathing and showering are not allowed during the monitoring period.

The signals of the ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring are recorded on a cassette tape that runs slowly for a 24 hour recording, then the tape is quickly analyzed by a machine which stops when it detects any abnormalities in the recording.

atmospheric electric field (s) (noun), atmospheric electric fields (pl)
The atmosphere's electric field strength in volts per meter at any specified point in time and space near the Earth's surface and in fair-weather areas: A typical datum is about 100 and the field is directed vertically in such a way as to drive positive charges downward.

An atmospheric electric field is a quantitative term indicating the electric field strength of the atmosphere at any specified point in space and time.
An atmospheric electric field is also a measure, in volts per meter, of the electrical energy in a given portion of the Earth's atmosphere at a given time.

atmospheric electricity (s) (noun), atmospheric electricities (pl)
The scientific study of electrical processes occurring within the atmosphere: Atmospheric electricity occurs in the lower atmosphere, including both the intense local electrification accompanying storms and the much weaker fair-weather electrical activity over the entire globe produced by the electrified storms continuously in progress.

Atmospheric electricity is an electrical phenomena, regarded collectively, that occurs in the Earth's atmosphere.

These phenomena include not only such striking manifestations as lightning and St. Elmo's fire, but also less noticeable but more ubiquitous effects, such as atmospheric ionization, the air–earth currents, and other quiescent electrical processes.

The existence of separated electric charges in the atmosphere is a consequence of many minor processes, such as spray electrification, dust electrification, etc. and a few major processes including cosmic-ray ionization, radioactive-particle ionization, and thunderstorm electrification.

The maintenance of the prevailing atmospheric electric field is now widely believed to be due to thunderstorm effects.

atrial electrogram, high right atrial electrogram (s) (noun); atrial electrograms, high right atrial electrograms (pl)
An intracardiac electrogram which records electrical potentials within the upper region of the right upper chamber of the heart that receives blood from the veins and forces it into the lower part of the heart that moves blood to the rest of the body, obtained by the introduction of electrodes high in the upper part of the heart near the sinus node or the small mass of specialized cardiac muscle fibers located in the back wall of the right upper space of the heart: The atrial electrogram is used in localizing conduction blocks or delays in the normal flow of electrical impulses which cause the heart to beat and diagnosing arrhythmias or abnormal rates or rhythms, of the heart.

battery electrolyte (s) (noun), battery electrolytes (pl)
1. A liquid, paste, or other conducting medium in a battery, in which the flow of electric current takes place by the migration of ions.
2. A substance that, in solution, conducts an electric current and is decomposed by its passage.

Acids, bases, and salts are common electrolytes.

bioelectric (adjective), more bioelectric, most bioelectric
Pertaining to an electrical phenomena produced in living organisms; such as, that which is generated by muscle and nerve tissue: There is bioelectric current within muscular and neural tissues of the body.
bioelectricity (s) (noun), bioelectricities (pl)
The existence of electrical currents which are generated by and flow within muscular and nerve tissues: Bioelectricity involves the scientific study of naturally-occurring biological electric currents and of the effects of external electromagnetic forces on living systems.
bioelectrochemistry (s) (noun), bioelectrochemistries (pl)
The use of techniques, tools, and knowledge gained in the study of the electrochemistry and physiology of living organisms.
bioelectrogenesis (s) (noun), bioelectrogeneses (pl)
The electrical production by living organisms, a phenomenon that belongs to the science of electrophysiology.
bioelectrogenetic (adjective), bioelectrogenetics (pl)
A reference to the production of electricity by living organisms which usually refers to the electricity-generating ability in some aquatic creatures; such as, the electric eel, electric catfish, and to a lesser extent the black ghost knifefish.

The fish that utilize such bioelectrogenetic aspects often also possess electroreceptive abilities (which are more widespread) as part of an integrated electric system.

The bioelectrogenetic skills may be utilized for self-defense, electrocommunication, and with the stunning of prey.

bioelectronic (adjective), more bioelectronic, most bioelectronic
1. In medicine, a reference to the application of electronic devices to living organisms for clinical testing, diagnosis, and therapy treatment.
2. Relating to the study of electron transfer reactions as they occur in biological, or living systems.
bioelectronics (noun) (a plural form that functions as a singular)
1. The study of the role of intermolecular transfer of electrons in biological regulation and defense.
2. The science of electronic effects and controls of living organisms.

The references or sources of information for compiling the words and definitions in this unit are listed at this Electronic Bibliography page or specific sources are indicated when they are appropriate.


A cross reference of word units that are related, directly and/or indirectly, with "electricity": galvano-; hodo-; ion-; piezo-; -tron; volt; biomechatronics, info; mechatronics, info.