electrometer
(iːlɛk-, ɛlɛkˈtrɒmɪtə(r))
[f. electro- + meter.]
An instrument for ascertaining the quality and quantity of electricity in an electrified body. Cf. also binant.
| 1749 Gentl. Mag. 352 A true and exact electrometer. 1766 Lane in Phil. Trans. LVII. 451 An instrument which I have contrived for this purpose may not improperly be called an electrometer. 1787 A. Young in Glasg. Weekly Her. (1883) 7 July 2/7 An electrometer—a small, fine pith ball. 1812 Sir H. Davy Chem. Philos. 128 The electrometer..consists of two gold leaves attached to a metal-plate. 1881 Maxwell Electr. & Magn. I. 300. 1946 Electronic Engin. XVIII. 277/3 The two control grids are both highly insulated in accordance with electrometer valve requirements. 1958 Chambers's Techn. Dict. Suppl. 976/1 Electrometer tube or valve, one with high grid insulation, specially designed for measuring minute currents or voltages. |
Hence eˌlectroˈmetric, -ical, adjs., pertaining to electrometry. elecˈtrometry, the measurement of electricity by the electrometer.
| 1779 Visct. Mahon Princ. Electr. i. 8 The electro⁓metrical Balls may thereby be made to divaricate. 1814 G. J. Singer Elem. Electr. & Electro-Chem. iii. iv. 312 Some difficulty attends the demonstration of the electro⁓metrical effects. 1868 Brit. Assoc. Rep. 1867 489 The first step towards accurate electrometry in every case is to deduce from the scale-readings numbers which shall be in simple proportion to the difference of potentials to be determined. 1956 Nature 14 Jan. 57/2 Aviation medicine research depends on a detailed application of electrometrical recording techniques. |