electric

Where does the word "electric" come from? It comes from Greek elektron, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Electric’s story begins in Greek: elektron meant “amber.” Amber, which produces static charge when rubbed. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Latin as electricus. Coined by scientist William Gilbert from the Greek word for amber. It reached English by 1600s as electric. Settled as the word for the new phenomenon of electricity. Today, electric means relating to electricity, or full of excitement and energy.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient elektron "amber", amber, which produces static charge when rubbed.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · 1600s electricus "having properties like rubbed amber", coined by scientist William Gilbert from the Greek word for amber.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s electric "relating to electricity", settled as the word for the new phenomenon of electricity.