brush discharge

American  

noun

Electricity.

1. a type of corona discharge that takes place between two electrodes at atmospheric pressure, characterized by long, branched, luminous streamers of ionized particles.

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brush discharge British  

noun

1. a slightly luminous electrical discharge between points of high charge density when the charge density is insufficient to cause a spark or around sharp points on a highly charged conductor because of ionization of air molecules in their vicinity

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Etymology

Origin of brush discharge

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

But the most powerful brush discharges were produced by employing currents of much higher frequencies than it was possible to obtain by means of the alternators.

From Project Gutenberg

There is, moreover, no improbability of such sounds being occasionally heard, since a somewhat similar phenomenon accompanies the brush discharge of the electric machinery, to which the aurora bears considerable resemblance.

From Project Gutenberg

In the latter case a brush discharge is used, and the patient experiences very little physical sensation.

From Project Gutenberg

If while the patient is being treated a point electrode is brought towards him he feels the sensation of a wind blowing from that point; this is an electric breeze or brush discharge.

From Project Gutenberg

After that the discharge balls might be separated a little and a continuous series of sparks or brush discharges would take place between them.

From Project Gutenberg