électrique

Électrique is a French adjective meaning electric or pertaining to electricity. It is used to describe devices that operate on electrical power, processes involving electric energy, and fields of study related to electricity. The noun électricité denotes electricity itself as a phenomenon or energy, while électrique describes things related to it.

Etymology: The French word derives from the Latin electricus, from Greek elektron “amber,” via the medieval and early modern traditions of electricity studies when static electricity was first observed. The term expanded through the 18th and 19th centuries with discoveries in electrical charge, conduction, and electromagnetic phenomena, giving rise to a wide vocabulary around electrical engineering and technology.

Usage: In science and industry, électricité refers to the phenomenon and energy, while électrique covers equipment and properties. The adjective appears in many terms such as ingénierie électrique, distribution électrique, and systèmes électriques, as well as in everyday language to describe household appliances, lighting, and public transportation powered by electricity.

Safety and standards: Electrical systems require insulation, grounding, and protective devices, and are governed by national and international standards to ensure safety and reliability.

This term sits at the intersection of language and technology, reflecting the central role of electricity in modern life.