negative electricity

American  

noun

1. the electricity present in a body or substance that has an excess of electrons, as the electricity developed on a resin when rubbed with flannel.

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Etymology

Origin of negative electricity

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

negative electricity

It is now believed that all matter is made up of "electrons," particles of negative electricity, and "protons," particles of positive electricity.

From Time Magazine Archive

Since 1917 scientists have known that the earth's surface is charged with negative electricity, but no one knew for sure what keeps it charged.

From Time Magazine Archive

Since electrons are negative electricity, their departure covers the glass with an invisible picture in positive electricity.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then parallel steel plates charged with negative electricity snatch and hold the electrified particles, removing from them 95% of the airborne dirt.

From Time Magazine Archive

This electroscope is, beyond doubt, one of the most delicate ever constructed, and is well adapted to show small quantities of positive and negative electricity.

From A Treatise on Meteorological Instruments Explanatory of Their Scientific Principles, Method of Construction, and Practical Utility by Henry Negretti