ELECTRICITIES
Noun
electricities
plural of electricity
Source: Wiktionary
ELECTRICITY
E`lec*tric"i*ty, n.; pl. Electricities. Etym: [Cf. F. électricité.
See Electric.]
1. A power in nature, a manifestation of energy, exhibiting itself
when in disturbed equilibrium or in activity by a circuit movement,
the fact of direction in which involves polarity, or opposition of
properties in opposite directions; also, by attraction for many
substances, by a law involving attraction between surfaces of unlike
polarity, and repulsion between those of like; by exhibiting
accumulated polar tension when the circuit is broken; and by
producing heat, light, concussion, and often chemical changes when
the circuit passes between the poles or through any imperfectly
conducting substance or space. It is generally brought into action by
any disturbance of molecular equilibrium, whether from a chemical,
physical, or mechanical, cause.
Note: Electricity is manifested under following different forms: (a)
Statical electricity, called also Frictional 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.
2. The science which unfolds the phenomena and laws of electricity;
electrical science.
3. Fig.: Electrifying energy or characteristic.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition