† non-eˈlectric, a. and n. Obs.
[non- 3.]
A. adj. Not electric; incapable of developing electricity when excited by friction.
| 1751 Franklin Lett. Wks. 1840 V. 260 The terms electric per se and non-electric should be laid aside as improper..; the terms conductor and non-conductor may supply their place. 1755 B. Martin Mag. Arts & Sc. 305 The electric Fluid,..ready to be dispensed in small Quantities to every Non-electric Body that shall approach it, in the Form of a Spark. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) VI. 432/2 There is a very remarkable difference between substances with regard to their non-electric or conducting power. |
B. n. A non-electric substance.
| 1739 Desaguliers in Phil. Trans. XLI. 205 An Iron Bar suspended by a silken Thread,..when an excited Electric per se is brought near it, will both attack and send out its Effluvia to a Non-electric held near it. 1745 [see conductor 11]. 1752 Franklin Lett. Wks. 1887 II. 253 New flannel, if dry and warm, will draw the electric fluid from non-electrics. c 1790 J. Imison Sch. Arts I. 94 Conductors..are also called non-electrics, because no electric powers can be excited in them by friction. 1832 Handbk. Nat. Philos., Electr. i. §5. 2 (U.K.S.). |
So † non-eˈlectrical a. and n.
| 1739 Desaguliers in Phil. Trans. XLI. 204 Electricals per se communicate their Virtue to any of the Non-electrical, when brought near them; in which Case the Non-electricals attract and repel like the Electricals per se. Ibid. 206 If a long Non-electrical String be fasten'd to an Electrical per se. |