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.

electric arc furnace, electric-arc furnace, arc furnace
1. A type of electric furnace in which heat is generated by an arc between carbon electrodes above the surface of the material, commonly a metal, which is being heated.
2. A furnace used to heat materials with the energy from an electric arc.
3. An electric furnace in which an electric arc provides the source of heat for making steel.
4. A steel-making apparatus which uses high-quality scrap or ore with the polluting elements eliminated.
electric arc heating, electric-arc heating, arc heating
1. The heating of a material by the heat energy from an electric arc, which has a very high temperature and very high concentration of heat energy.
2. The heating of matter by an electric arc.

The material may be solid, liquid, or gaseous and when the heating is direct, the material to be heated is one electrode; but for indirect heating, the heat is transferred from the arc by conduction, convection, or radiation.

electric arc lamp, electric-arc lamp, arc lamp
1. An electric lamp in which the light is produced by an arc made when current flows through ionized gas between two electrodes.
2. A general term for a class of lamps which produce light by an electric arc or a voltaic arc.

The lamp consists of two electrodes, typically made of tungsten, that are separated by a gas.

electric arc spraying, electric-arc spraying
A thermal spraying process with an electric arc as a heat source and with compressed gas to propel the material.
electric battery
1. Any of a class of devices, consisting of a group of electrochemical cells which convert chemical energy into electrical energy.
2. Two or more primary cells connected together, usually in a series, to provide a source of electric current.
3. A direct-current voltage source made up of one or more units that convert chemical, thermal, nuclear, or solar energy into electrical energy.
electric blackboard
A telephone-connected display board which receives and enlarges transmitted data in graphic or digital form.
electric blood warmer
A device for heating blood before infusions; especially, in cases of massive transfusions in which cold blood might cause a state of shock to the body of the patient.

The electric blood warmer includes a container with an electric heater and space for the insertion of a disposable blood-warming bag composed of parallel plastic tubes.

electric blue
A harsh, bright, slightly greenish blue.
electric boiler
1. A steam generator that uses electrical energy as a heat source.
2. A steam generator using electric energy, in immersion, resistor, or electrode elements, as a source of heat.
3. A tank in which water is heated, or hot water is stored, and which is controlled by an electric current.
electric brake, electromagnetic brake
1. A braking system whose force is supplied by an adjustable spring counteracted by a solenoid, a centrifugal thruster, and an actuator, in which the actuating force is supplied by current flowing through a solenoid or an electromagnet.
2. An emergency braking system which is automatically applied to an electric-powered apparatus when a power failure occurs.
3. An electric brake design in which the electromagnet is a small disc (spot) attached to an actuating lever is supplied by current flowing through a solenoid, or through an electromagnet which is attracted to disks on the rotating member, actuating the brake shoes.

This force is counteracted by the force of a compression spring.

4. The contact component of an electric braking system.
electric braking
1. In an electrically driven vehicle, a system in which a motor acts as a generator, returning energy to the contact braking element.
2. The process of applying any type of electric brake.
electric breeze
1. A stream of ions repelled from an electrified point.
2. A brush discharge like that which is used in therapeutics.
electric burn
The tissue damage or burn resulting from heat generated by an electric current.
electric cable
A protected bundle of wires to carry an electric current.
electric car, electromobile (s) (noun); electric cars, electromobiles (pl)
1. A passenger vehicle that is powered exclusively by an electrochemical power source, or partially so powered; such as, a hybrid electric car.
2. An automobile powered by a motor supplied with electric current from a storage battery or other device; such as, a fuel cell.

Electric cars were popular between the late 1890's and 1910 and interest in them has revived with new methods of generating electrical power.

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.