英语词源字典 - 在线词源网站

ammeter (n.): instrument for measuring the strength of electric currents, 1882, from ampere + -meter.
amperage (n.): strength of an electric current, 1889, from ampere on model of voltage.
cathode (n.): 1834, from Latinized form of Greek kathodos "a way down," from kata- "down" (see cata-) + hodos "way" (see cede). Proposed by the Rev. William Whewell (1794-1866), English polymath, and published by English chemist and physicist Michael Faraday (1791-1867). So called from the path the electric current was supposed to take. Related: Cathodic; cathodal. Cathode ray first attested 1880, but the phenomenon known from 1859; cathode ray tube is from 1905.
electromagnet (n.): also electro-magnet, "magnet which owes its magnetic properties to electric current," 1822; see electro- + magnet.
galvanometer (n.): instrument for detecting and measuring electric current, 1801, from galvano-, used as a comb. form of galvanism + -meter. Related: Galvanometric. Galvanoscope "instrument for detecting and determining the direction of electric current" is from 1832.
oscillator (n.): agent noun in Latin form from oscillate; 1835 of persons, 1889 in reference to electric currents.
signal (n.): late 14c., "visible sign, indication," from Old French signal, seignal "seal, imprint, sign, mark," from Medieval Latin signale "a signal," from Late Latin signalis (adj.) "used as a signal, pertaining to a sign," from Latin signum "signal, sign" (see sign (n.)). Restricted sense "agreed-upon sign (to commence or desist, etc.) is from 1590s. Meaning "modulation of an electric current" is from 1855.
trolley (n.): 1823, in Suffolk dialect, "a cart," especially one with wheels flanged for running on a track (1858), probably from troll (v.) in the sense of "to roll." Sense transferred to "device used to transmit electric current to streetcars, consisting of a trolley wheel which makes contact with the overhead wires" (1888), then "streetcar drawing power by a trolley" (1891), which probably is short for trolley-car, attested from 1889.
commutate: "Regulate or reverse the direction of (an alternating electric current), especially to make it a direct current", Late 19th century: from Latin commutat- 'changed altogether, exchanged, interchanged', from the verb commutare (see commute).
electrostatic: "Relating to stationary electric charges or fields as opposed to electric currents", Mid 19th century: from electro- + static, on the pattern of hydrostatic.
electrophone: "An instrument which produces sounds in response to an electric current, e.g. from an induction coil or telephone, especially as developed to enable telephone subscribers to hear concerts, plays, public speeches, etc., in their home. Now historical", Mid 19th cent. From electro- + -phone. Compare earlier electrophonic.