| electrical heart position | A description of the heart's assumed electrical habitus based upon the form of the QRS complexes in leads aVL, aVF, V1, and V6. Sometimes loosely (and inaccurately) used to describe the frontal plane electric axis. Synonym: heart position. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| electrical synapse | <physiology> A connection between two electrically excitable cells, such as neurons or muscle cells, via arrays of gap junctions. This allows the cells to be electrically coupled and so an action potential in one cell moves directly into the other, without the 1 ms delay inherent in chemical synapses. Electrical synapses do not allow modulation of their connection and so only occur in neuronal circuits where speed of conduction is paramount (e.g. The crayfish escape reflex). A few electrical synapses are rectifying, implying a more specialised property than a simple gap junction. (18 Nov 1997) |
| electrical systole | The duration of the QRS-T complex (i.e., from the earliest Q-wave to the end of the latest T wave on the ECG). Electromechanical systole, the period from the beginning of the QRS complex to the first (aortic) vibration of the second heart sound. Synonym: Q-S2 interval. (05 Mar 2000) |
| electrically | In the manner of electricity, or by means of it; thrillingly. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| electricalness | The state or quality of being electrical. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| electrician | An investigator of electricity; one versed in the science of electricity. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| electricity | Origin: Cf. F. Electricite. 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. 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. Electrifying energy or characteristic. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| electrifiable | Capable of receiving electricity, or of being charged with it. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| electrification | <physics> The act of electrifying, or the state of being charged with electricity. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| electrify | 1. To communicate electricity to; to charge with electricity; as, to electrify a jar. 2. To cause electricity to pass through; to affect by electricity; to give an electric shock to; as, to electrify a limb, or the body. 3. To excite suddenly and violently, especially. By something highly delightful or inspiriting; to thrill; as, this patriotic sentiment electrified the audience. "If the sovereign were now to immure a subject in defiance of the writ of habeas corpus . . . The whole nation would be instantly electrified by the news." (Macaulay) "Try whether she could electrify Mr. Grandcourt by mentioning it to him at table." (G. Eliot) Origin: Electric + -fy. To become electric. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| electrine | 1. Belonging to, or made of, amber. 2. Made of electrum, an alloy used by the ancients. Origin: L. Electrinus of amber. See Electric. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| electrition | <physiology> The recognition by an animal body of the electrical condition of external objects. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| electrization | The act of electrizing; electrification. Origin: Cf. F. Electrisation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| electrize | To electricity. Origin: Cf. F. Electriser. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| electrizer | One who, or that which, electrizes. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |