electric
GreekVariants
Related Roots
About This Root
From Greek ēlektron (amber). Ancient Greeks discovered that rubbing amber produces static charge — from this humble observation, an entire vocabulary was born: electric, electricity, electrician, electron, electrode, and photoelectric. The leap from a fossilized resin to the force powering modern civilization is one of etymology's most dramatic arcs.
Associated Words
electric
Relating to or powered by electricity; emotionally thrilling
electrical
Related to or involving electricity
electrician
A tradesperson who works with electrical wiring and equipment
electricity
Energy from charged particles used to power devices; a feeling of excitement
electrode
A terminal through which electric current passes in a circuit
electron
A negatively charged subatomic particle orbiting the atomic nucleus
photoelectric
Relating to electric effects caused by light or electromagnetic radiation