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.

electrochromic
1. Processing a change in color with the passage of an electric current.
2. Undergoing a change in optical properties with the passage of an electrical current.

Electrochromic materials can be used in window glass to provide energy efficiency in buildings, by electronically varying the level of tint in the window to control the amount of light and solar heat entering the room.

electrochromic display
Al passive solid-state display in which an electric field controls the characteristics of light transmissions and light reflections.
electrochromics
Glazing with optical properties that can be varied continuously from clear to dark with a low-voltage signal.

Ions are reversibly injected or removed from an electrochromic material, causing the optical density to change.

electrochromism
1. The ability to change color when subjected to an electric charge.
2. The phenomenon displayed by some materials of reversibly changing color when a burst of electric charge is applied.

Various types of materials and structures can be used to construct electrochromic devices, depending on the specific applications.

Electrochromism involves electroactive materials that show a reversible color change when a small DC voltage is applied.

electrocision
Medical excision (cutting out) by using electric current.
electrocoagulation, surgical diathermy (s) (noun): electrocoagulations; surgical diathermies (pl)
A procedure that uses an electrical current to stop bleeding and to cause destruction of tissue: Electrocoagulation is a therapeutic destructive form of electrosurgery in which tissue is hardened by the passage of a high-frequency current from an electric cautery device.

Surgical diathermy is a method of sealing blood vessels using heat generated by a high-frequency electric current through fine needles or an electrical surgical knife.

The procedure is used during surgery to close newly cut vessels and it can also be used to stop nosebleeds and to remove vascular deformities.

electrocochleogram
A graphic record of the auditory threshold as measured by electrocochleography.
electrocochleography
1. A measurement of the electrical potentials generated in the inner ear as a result of sound stimulation.
2. The measurement of electrical activity produced when the cochlea is stimulated.

A needle electrode is passed through the eardrum and placed on the cochlea, the part of the inner ear concerned with hearing. The electrical activity is then recorded.

3. A diagnostic test in which a probe is inserted into the cochlea in the inner ear to measure and to record electrical activity.

Certain kinds of distortions may indicate the presence of disease.

electrocoma
The coma (condition of deep unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be aroused) induced by electroshock therapy.
electroconductivity
1. A facility for transmitting electricity.
2. A measure of the total dissolved ions in a substance, which indicates the material's ability to conduct electricity.
electrocontractility
1. The power of contraction of muscular tissue in reaction to electrical stimulation.
2. The capacity of muscular tissue for contraction in response to electric stimulation.
electroconvulsive (adjective) (not comparative)
1. Having to do with convulsions produced by an electroshock.
2. Referring to a convulsive response to an electrical stimulation.
electroconvulsive therapy management (s) (noun)
A nursing intervention from the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) defined as assisting with the safe and efficient provision of electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of psychiatric illness.
electroconvulsive therapy, electroconvulsive treatment, ECT (s); electroconvulsive therapies, electroconvulsive treatments, ECTs (pl) (nouns)
1. The induction of a brief convulsion by passing an electric current through the brain for the treatment of affective disorders; especially, in patients resistant to psychoactive-drug therapy.

Electroconvulsive therapy is primarily used when rapid definitive response is required for either medical or psychiatric reasons; such as, for a patient who is extremely suicidal and when the risks of other treatments outweigh the risk of ECT.

2. The use of an electric shock to produce convulsions.

There is a use for this type of treatment with specific types of mental illness; especially, if acute depression and suicidal intentions are present.

3. The use of controlled, measured doses of electric shock to induce convulsions.

Such convulsions can sometimes treat clinical depressions which can not be treated with medication.

electrocortical
A reference to the electrical activity of the cerebral cortex.

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.