(n.) 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.
(n.) The science which unfolds the phenomena and laws of
electricity; electrical science.
(n.) Fig.: Electrifying energy or characteristic.
