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.

electrode potential, electrode voltage
1. The potential developed by a metal or other electrode material immersed in an electrolytic solution; usually related to the standard potential of the hydrogen electrode, which is established at zero.
2. The instantaneous voltage of an electrode with respect to the cathode of an electron tube.
3. The voltage existing between an electrode and the solution or electrolyte in which it is immersed.
electrode radiator
A metal structure, often with a large area, which is an external extension of an electrode of an electron tube to facilitate the dissipation of heat.
electrode sphygmomanometer
An instrument which measures and/or records blood pressure electronically.
electrodeless discharge
1. A luminous discharge produced by a high-frequency electric field in a gas-filled glass tube with no internal electrodes.
2. An electric discharge generated by placing a discharge tube in a strong, high-frequency electromagnetic field.
electrodeless discharge tube, EDT
An instrument consisting of an airtight quartz tube that holds the material to be analyzed.

When a high-frequency electrostatic field, generated by microwaves, is applied to the tube, it emits energy of a wavelength that is identical to that of the contained material.

electrodelic
Psychedelic effects or altered perceptions or sensory experiences produced electrically.
electrodeposit (s) (noun), electrodeposits (pl)
1. To place a substance; especially, a metal, on an electrode by using electrolysis: The electrodeposit process was used to replace the covering of old silverware with new surfaces because it was critical in order to guarantee a higher resale value of the cutlery.
2. A substance that remains by using electrolysis: The electrodeposit of silver on the antique lamp base was glowing brightly in the light from the display case.
electrodeposition, electrolytic deposition (s) (noun); electrodepositions, electrolytic depositions (pl)
The process of placing a metallic substance on another object: Mr. Dawson,the silversmith, was skilled in processing electrodeposition or electrolytic deposition; especially, when it came to covering objects with silver.

Iris and Ted in the advanced chemistry program studied the electrodeposition or electrolytic deposition of various metals and base metals.

electrodermal
1. A reference to the electrical properties of the skin; especially, to changes in its resistance.
2. Referring to electrical properties or electric reactivity of the skin, particularly altered resistance.
electrodermal activity therapy
A type of biofeedback therapy in which sensors attached to the palm of the hand or palmar aspects of the fingers are used to monitor sweat output in response to stress.

It is used in the treatment of stress, anxiety disorders, chronic pain, and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).

electrodermal audiometry
A method for determining hearing thresholds in which a harmless electric shock is used to condition the subject to s pure tone, which thereafter, coupled with the anticipation of a shock, elicits a brief electrodermal response.

The lowest intensity of the sound that produces the skin response is considered the patient's hearing threshold.

electrodermal reaction
The change in electric resistance of the skin during emotional stress.

This is one of the functional variables measured by polygraphs.

electrodermal response, EDR; galvanic skin response
1. A change in the electrical properties of the skin in response to stress or anxiety which can be measured either by recording the electrical resistance of the skin or by recording weak currents generated by the body.
2. A technique by which sensors monitor the skin's electrical resistance to treat anxiety disorders, chronic pain, hyperhidrosis, and stress.
3. A transient change in certain electrical properties of the skin, associated with the sweat gland activity and elicited by any stimulus that evokes an arousal or orienting response.

Originally it was termed the psychogalvanic reflex, which later became known as the galvanic skin response.

electrodermatome
1. A surgical knife powered by electricity for incising the skin or cutting thin slices for skin transplantation or to treat small lesions.
2. An electric machine used for cutting split-skin grafts.
electrodesiccation (s), electrodesiccations (pl) (noun forms)
1. The diathermic destruction of small growths; such as, of the urinary bladder, skin, or cervix by means of a single needle-shaped terminal electrode with a small sparking distance: "The surgeon removed a suspect mole by electrodesiccation and thoroughly desiccated the immediately adjoining tissue with a needle electrode."
2. A technique in electrosurgery in which tissue is destroyed by burning with an electric spark.

It is used primarily for eliminating small superficial growths; however, it may be used with curettage to eradicate abnormal tissue deeper in the skin or to stop bleeding.

This procedure is performed under local anesthesia.

3. The destructive drying of cells and tissue by means of short high-frequency electric sparks, as opposed to fulguration, the destruction of tissue by means of long high-frequency electric sparks.

Among other applications, electrodesiccations are used for hemostasis (stopping the flow of blood) of very small capillaries or veins which have been severed (cut) during surgery.

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.