non-electricn.adj.
/ˌnɒnᵻˈlɛktrɪk/, U.S. /ˌnɑnəˈlɛktrɪk/, /ˌnɑniˈlɛktrɪk/ A thing or substance that does not generate static electricity when rubbed. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > [noun] > electricity generated by friction > substance stimulated by > substance not stimulated by
non-electric1742
non-electrical1742
anelectric1811
1742 J. T. Desaguliers in Philos. Trans. 1739–40 (Royal Soc.) 41 205 An Iron Bar suspended by a silken Thread,..when an excited Electric per se is brought near it, will both attack and send out its Effluvia to a Non-electric held near it.
1752 B. Franklin Let. 23 Apr. in Exper. & Observ. Electr. (1769) 264 New flannel, if dry and warm, will draw the electric fluid from non-electrics.
?1790 J. Imison School of Arts (ed. 2) 94 Conductors..are also called non-electrics, because no electric powers can be excited in them by friction.
1824 Lancet 10 July 47/2 This fact destroys the idea of electrics and non-electrics, terms at present given to conductors and non-conductors.
1842 Ladies' Repository Oct. 297/1 Since those bodies only can be excited which resist the passage of electricity.., these divisions are frequently called, respectively, non-electrics and electrics.
1870 J. Tyndall Lect. Electr. 14 The conductors were called non-electrics, because they could not be so electrified. The division is improper, because if a conductor be insulated it can readily be electrified.
B. adj.
(Originally) not capable of generating static electricity; (later) not operated by electricity. Also: not relating to electricity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > [adjective] > relating to electricity generated by friction > developing static > not
non-electrical1742
non-electric1744
anelectric1812
1744 J. T. Desaguliers in Philos. Trans. 1740–41 (Royal Soc.) 41 634 Non-electric Bodies are such in which no Electrical Virtue can be excited by any Action upon the Bodies themselves, such as rubbing, warming, &c.
1751 B. Franklin Suppl. Exper. & Observ. Electr. (1753) 96 The terms electric per se, and non-electric, should be laid aside as improper..; the terms conductors and non-conductors may supply their place.
1824 Lancet 24 July 107/2 Every substance in nature is electric under certain circumstances; and hence non-electric bodies, cannot exist.
1850 R. G. Parker School Compendium Nat. & Exper. Philos. (ed. 13) 204 If a non-electric, or any conducting substance be presented to the conductor, the balls of the electrometer will fall.
1881 Science 22 Jan. 29/2 These nerve-fibres (called electric nerves) are entirely wanting in the organization of the non-electric fish.
1920 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 220 216 The energies of the material bodies in the field..will consist in part..of their potential energy relative to one another or to any extraneous fields of non-electric nature.
1949 L. Feather Inside Be-bop iii. 93 Album on non-electric guitar.
1972 McGraw-Hill Yearbk. Sci. & Technol. 1971 187/2 The demand for electric energy..will probably increase at even a faster pace as both new and presently nonelectric markets open up.
1996 B. Carson in P. Trynka Rock Hardware 36/2 He used these (non-electric) instruments to help the morale of wounded airmen by teaching them to play the piano.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1742