hydro-eˈlectric, a.
Also hydroelectric.
[f. hydro- a + electric.]
† 1. Of or pertaining to hydro-electricity; galvanic. Obs.
| 1827 J. Cumming Man. Electro Dynamics iv. 115 Retaining the name Hydro-electric, for current produced by the intervention of fluids. 1832 Nat. Philos., Electro-Magnet. xiii. §305. 93 (U.K.S.) The electrical current thus excited has been termed Thermo-electric, in order to distinguish it from the common galvanic current, which, as it requires the intervention of a fluid element as one of its essential components, was denominated a Hydro-electric current. 1851 Illustr. Catal. Gt. Exhib. 1027 The powers of nature, as steam, the moving power, lightning, the hydro-electric fluid, and light. Ibid. 1102 Engraving on a tin plate, produced by the action of the hydro-electric current. 1855 Mayne Expos. Lex., Hydro-Electricus, applied to the phenomena which produce the voltaic pile, because the presence of water is the condition of their full development: hydro-electric. |
2. Effecting the development of electricity by the friction of water or steam: as in Armstrong's hydro-electric machine.
| 1844 Rep. Brit. Assoc. Adv. Sci. 1843 39 (heading) On the electricity of high-pressure steam, and a description of a hydro-electric machine. 1863–72 Watts Dict. Chem. II. 408 The electric excitement resulting from the friction of water is applied to the construction of an electrical machine of great power, called the Hydro-electric machine. 1881 Judd Volcanoes ii. 29 Every volcano in violent eruption is a very efficient hydro⁓electric machine. |
3. Generating electricity by utilizing the motive power of water; generated by, or relating to generation by, such means.
| 1884 Engineering 11 Jan. 38/3 A Hydro-Electric Syphon... A most ingenious scheme for draining the valley of the city of Mexico by means of electrical power generated by the fall of water raised by electrically driven pumps. 1899 Min. Proc. Inst. Civil Engin. CXXXVI. 433 (heading) Hydro-electric installation at Mont-Dore. 1904 Electrical Mag. I. 592/1 On the river Ain..near Lake Geneva, a hydro-electric plant has recently been completed. 1905 Daily Chron. 18 Sept. 4/5 Abundant hydro-electric power. 1927 Creager & Justin Hydro-Electric Handbk. xxxv. 874 Hydro-electric plants are much more reliable than steam plants. 1951 T. H. Carr Electric Power Stations (ed. 3) II. xxiv. 579 Hydro-electric stations are usually located in wild, mountainous districts. 1955 Bull. Atomic Sci. Oct. 281/2 Hydroelectric power is never likely to contribute more than a small fraction of the total energy consumption of the world, since the total potential capacity is relatively limited. 1963 W. E. Ballard Metal Spraying (ed. 4) xiv. 479 In hydro-electric schemes, metal spraying has often been used for the protection of the large pipes bringing the water down from a high altitude to the turbines. 1972 Daily Tel. 11 Apr. 13/6 Brazil wants to build a huge hydro-electric dam on the upper reaches of the River Parana. |