n. [ Cf. F. actrice. ] 1. A female actor or doer. [ Obs. ] Cockeram. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A female stageplayer; a woman who acts a part. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; cock + &unr_; fight. ] Cockfighting. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; cock + -mancy. ] Divination by means of a cock and grains of corn placed on the letters of the alphabet, the letters being put together in the order in which the grains were eaten. Amer. Cyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. 'an priv. + E. electric. ] (Physics) Not becoming electrified by friction; -- opposed to idioelectric. -- n. A substance incapable of being electrified by friction. Faraday. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; up + E. electrode. ] (Elec.) The positive pole of a voltaic battery. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; up + E. electrotonus. ] (Physiol.) The condition of decreased irritability of a nerve in the region of the positive electrode or anode on the passage of a current of electricity through it. Foster. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A female architect. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to Bactria in Asia. -- n. A native of Bactria. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bactrian camel, the two-humped camel. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A woman who confers a benefit. [ 1913 Webster ]

His benefactress blushes at the deed. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. electric phenomena in animals or plants. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The line bisecting the angle between the optic axes of a biaxial crystal. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ or . [ Trans. of G. Brockengespenst. ] A mountain specter (which see), esp. that observed on the Brocken, in the Harz Mountains. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Pref. cata + elecrode. ] (Physics) The negative electrode or pole of a voltaic battery. Faraday. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Physics) Relating to, or characterized by, catelectrotonus. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; down + &unr_; (see Electro-) + &unr_; tone. ] (Physics) The condition of increased irritability of a nerve in the region of the cathode or negative electrode, on the passage of a current of electricity through it. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Electron. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. A woman who leads or directs; a directress. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A woman who corrects. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A female detractor. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pref. dia- + electric. ] (Elec.) Any substance or medium that transmits the electric force by a process different from conduction, as in the phenomena of induction; a nonconductor, separating a body electrified by induction, from the electrifying body. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A woman who directs. Bp. Hurd. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. E. Directrixes L. Directrices 1. A directress. [ R. ] Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Geom.) (a) A line along which a point in another line moves, or which in any way governs the motion of the point and determines the position of the curve generated by it; the line along which the generatrix moves in generating a surface. (b) A straight line so situated with respect to a conic section that the distance of any point of the curve from it has a constant ratio to the distance of the same point from the focus. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A female doctor. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of the nature of, or constituting, doctrine. [ Obs. ] Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ F. See Doctrine. ] One who would apply to political or other practical concerns the abstract doctrines or the theories of his own philosophical system; a propounder of a new set of opinions; a dogmatic theorist. Used also adjectively; as, doctrinaire notions. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In french history, the Doctrinaires were a constitutionalist party which originated after the restoration of the Bourbons, and represented the interests of liberalism and progress. After the Revolution of July, 1830, when they came into power, they assumed a conservative position in antagonism with the republicans and radicals. Am. Cyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A matter of doctrine; also, a system of doctrines. T. Goodwin. Sir T. Elyot. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ LL. doctrinalis, fr. L. doctrina: cf. F. doctrinal. See Doctrine. ] 1. Pertaining to, or containing, doctrine or something taught and to be believed; as, a doctrinal observation. “Doctrinal clauses.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Pertaining to, or having to do with, teaching. [ 1913 Webster ]

The word of God serveth no otherwise than in the nature of a doctrinal instrument. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a doctrinal manner or form; by way of teaching or positive direction. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A doctrinaire. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The principles or practices of the Doctrinaires. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. doctrine, L. doctrina, fr. doctor. See Doctor. ] 1. Teaching; instruction. [ 1913 Webster ]

He taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken. Mark iv. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is taught; what is held, put forth as true, and supported by a teacher, a school, or a sect; a principle or position, or the body of principles, in any branch of knowledge; any tenet or dogma; a principle of faith; as, the doctrine of atoms; the doctrine of chances. “The doctrine of gravitation.” I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

Articles of faith and doctrine. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Monroe doctrine (Politics), a policy enunciated by President Monroe (Message, Dec. 2, 1823), the essential feature of which is that the United States will regard as an unfriendly act any attempt on the part of European powers to extend their systems on this continent, or any interference to oppress, or in any manner control the destiny of, governments whose independence had been acknowledged by the United States.

Syn. -- Precept; tenet; principle; maxim; dogma. -- Doctrine, Precept. Doctrine denotes whatever is recommended as a speculative truth to the belief of others. Precept is a rule down to be obeyed. Doctrine supposes a teacher; precept supposes a superior, with a right to command. The doctrines of the Bible; the precepts of our holy religion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Unpracticed he to fawn or seek for power
By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_; power + E. electric. See Dynamic. ] Pertaining to the development of electricity, especially electrical currents, by power; producing electricity or electrical currents by mechanical power. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; a turning aside; &unr_; from + &unr_; to turn. ] (Med.) An unnatural eversion of the eyelids. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL. ] (Med.) Same as Ectropion. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_; for abortion; 'ek out + &unr_; to wound, cause mischief to. ] (Med.) Having a tendency to prevent the development of anything, especially of a disease. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ L. electrum: cf. F. électre mixture of gold and silver. See Electrum. ] 1. Amber. See Electrum. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A metallic substance compounded of gold and silver; an alloy. [ Obs. ] Wyclif. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Electro + Gr. tre`pein to turn. ] An instrument used to change the direction of electric currents; a commutator. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. électrice. Cf. Electoress. ] The wife or widow of an elector in the old German empire. Burke.

n. (Physics) A nonconductor of electricity, as amber, glass, resin, etc., employed to excite or accumulate electricity. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. electrum amber, a mixed metal, Gr. 'h`lektron; akin to 'hle`ktwr the beaming sun, cf. Skr. arc to beam, shine: cf. F. électrique. The name came from the production of electricity by the friction of amber. ] 1. Pertaining to electricity; consisting of, containing, derived from, or produced by, electricity; as, electric power or virtue; an electric jar; electric effects; an electric spark; an electric charge; an electric current; an electrical engineer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Capable of occasioning the phenomena of electricity; as, an electric or electrical machine or substance; an electric generator. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Electrifying; thrilling; magnetic. “Electric Pindar.” Mrs. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. powered by electricity; as, electrical appliances; an electric toothbrush; an electric automobile. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

Electric atmosphere, or
Electric aura. See under Aura. --
Electrical battery. See Battery. --
Electrical brush. See under Brush. --
Electric cable. See Telegraph cable, under Telegraph. --
Electric candle. See under Candle. --
Electric cat (Zoöl.), one of three or more large species of African catfish of the genus Malapterurus (esp. M. electricus of the Nile). They have a large electrical organ and are able to give powerful shocks; -- called also sheathfish. --
Electric clock. See under Clock, and see Electro-chronograph. --
Electric current, a current or stream of electricity traversing a closed circuit formed of conducting substances, or passing by means of conductors from one body to another which is in a different electrical state. --
Electric eel, or
Electrical eel (Zoöl.), a South American eel-like fresh-water fish of the genus Gymnotus (G. electricus), from two to five feet in length, capable of giving a violent electric shock. See Gymnotus. --
Electrical fish (Zoöl.), any fish which has an electrical organ by means of which it can give an electrical shock. The best known kinds are the torpedo, the gymnotus, or electrical eel, and the electric cat. See Torpedo, and Gymnotus. --
Electric fluid, the supposed matter of electricity; lightning. [ archaic ] --
Electrical image (Elec.), a collection of electrical points regarded as forming, by an analogy with optical phenomena, an image of certain other electrical points, and used in the solution of electrical problems. Sir W. Thomson. --
Electric machine, or
Electrical machine, an apparatus for generating, collecting, or exciting, electricity, as by friction. --
Electric motor. See Electro-motor, 2. --
Electric osmose. (Physics) See under Osmose. --
Electric pen, a hand pen for making perforated stencils for multiplying writings. It has a puncturing needle driven at great speed by a very small magneto-electric engine on the penhandle. --
Electric railway, a railway in which the machinery for moving the cars is driven by an electric current. --
Electric ray (Zoöl.), the torpedo. --
Electric telegraph. See Telegraph. [ 1913 Webster ]

, same as electricity{ 1 }. [ PJC ]

, the movement of electrically charged particles, atoms, or ions, through solids, liquids, gases, or free space; the term is usually used of relatively smooth movements of electric charge through conductors, whether constant or variable. Sudden movements of charge are usually referred to by other terms, such as spark or lightning or discharge. In metallic conductors the electric current is usually due to movement of electrons through the metal. The current is measured as the rate of movement of charge per unit time, and is counted in units of amperes. As a formal definition, the direction of movement of electric current is considered as the same as the direction of movement of positive charge, or in a direction opposite to the movement of negative charge. Electric current may move constantly in a single direction, called direct current (abbreviated DC), or may move alternately in one direction and then the opposite direction, called alternating current (abbreviated AC). [ PJC ]

1. the light produced by a current of electricity which in passing through a resisting medium heats it to incandescence or burns it. See under Carbon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. a lamp whose light is produced by passing an electric current through a light bulb, especially an incandescent lamp. [ PJC ]

adv. In the manner of electricity, or by means of it; thrillingly. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. The state or quality of being electrical. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a device used for execution of criminals, consisting of a specially designed chair in which the victim is killed by passing a large current of electricity through the body. This method of killing is called electrocution.
Syn. -- the chair, death chair, hot seat. [ PJC ]

n. 1. An investigator of electricity; one versed in the science of electricity. [ archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. a technician who installs, repairs, or maintains electrical wiring or electrical devices, especially in buildings. [ PJC ]

3. a person who is licensed by a governmental board to install electrical wiring and devices in structures; called also a licensed electrician. [ PJC ]

n.; pl. Electricities [ Cf. F. électricité. See Electric. ] 1. (Physics) a property of certain of the fundamental particles of which matter is composed, called also electric charge, and being of two types, designated positive and negative; the property of electric charge on a particle or physical body creates a force field which affects other particles or bodies possessing electric charge; positive charges create a repulsive force between them, and negative charges also create a repulsive force. A positively charged body and a negatively charged body will create an attractive force between them. The unit of electrical charge is the coulomb, and the intensity of the force field at any point is measured in volts. [ PJC ]

2. any of several phenomena associated with the accumulation or movement of electrically charged particles within material bodies, classified as static electricity and electric current. Static electricity is often observed in everyday life, when it causes certain materials to cling together; when sufficient static charge is accumulated, an electric current may pass through the air between two charged bodies, and is observed as a visible spark; when the spark passes from a human body to another object it may be felt as a mild to strong painful sensation. Electricity in the form of electric current is put to many practical uses in electrical and electronic devices. Lightning is also known to be a form of electric current passing between clouds and the ground, or between two clouds. Electric currents may produce heat, light, concussion, and often chemical changes when passed between objects or through any imperfectly conducting substance or space. Accumulation of electrical charge or generation of a voltage differnce between two parts of a complex object may be caused by any of a variety of disturbances of molecular equilibrium, whether from a chemical, physical, or mechanical, cause. Electric current in metals and most other solid coductors is carried by the movement of electrons from one part of the metal to another. In ionic solutions and in semiconductors, other types of movement of charged particles may be responsible for the observed electrical current. [ PJC ]

☞ Electricity is manifested under following different forms: (a)
Statical electricity, called also
Frictional electricity or
Common electricity, electricity in the condition of a stationary charge, in which the disturbance is produced by friction, as of glass, amber, etc., or by induction. (b)
Dynamical electricity, called also
Voltaic electricity, electricity in motion, or as a current produced by chemical decomposition, as by means of a voltaic battery, or by mechanical action, as by dynamo-electric machines. (c)
Thermoelectricity, in which the disturbing cause is heat (attended possibly with some chemical action). It is developed by uniting two pieces of unlike metals in a bar, and then heating the bar unequally. (d)
Atmospheric electricity, any condition of electrical disturbance in the atmosphere or clouds, due to some or all of the above mentioned causes. (e)
Magnetic electricity, electricity developed by the action of magnets. (f)
Positive electricity, the electricity that appears at the positive pole or anode of a battery, or that is produced by friction of glass; -- called also vitreous electricity. (g)
Negative electricity, the electricity that appears at the negative pole or cathode, or is produced by the friction of resinous substance; -- called also resinous electricity. (h)
Organic electricity, that which is developed in organic structures, either animal or vegetable, the phrase animal electricity being much more common. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The science which studies the phenomena and laws of electricity; electrical science. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Fig.: excitement, anticipation, or emotional tension, usually caused by the occurrence or expectation of something unusual or important.

a. Capable of receiving electricity, or of being charged with it. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Physics) The act of electrifying, or the state of being charged with electricity. [ 1913 Webster ]