electronic
adjectivenouncommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˌɛl.ɛkˈtɹɒn.ɪk//
- United Kingdom//ˌɛl.ɪkˈtɹɒn.ɪk//
- United Kingdom//ɪˌlɛkˈtɹɒn.ɪk//
- Canada//ɪˌlɛkˈtɹɑ.nɪk//
- Canada//ˌi.lɛkˈtɹɑ.nɪk//
Of or pertaining to an electron or electrons.
adjective
- 1
Of or pertaining to an electron or electrons.
- 2
Operating on the physical behavior of electrons, especially in semiconductors.
electronic timer
- 3
Generated or transmitted by an electronic device.
electronic music
- 4
Of or pertaining to digital or computer technology.
- 5
Denoting a method analogous to the named non-electronic object or practice
electronic mail
electronic signature
- 6
Of or pertaining to the Internet.
In America alone, people spent $170 billion on “direct marketing”—junk mail of both the physical and electronic varieties—last year. Yet of those who received unsolicited adverts through the post, only 3% bought anything as a result.
Etymology
Etymology tree Ancient Greek ἤλεκτρον (ḗlektron)bor. Latin ēlectrum Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icus New Latin ēlectricusbor. English electric Proto-Indo-European *h₁ey- Proto-Indo-European *h₁éyti Proto-Graeco-Phrygian *éimi Proto-Hellenic *éimi Ancient Greek ἰόν (ión)der. English ion blend English electron ▲ Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic English electronic From electron + -ic.
noun
- 1
A device which runs on electricity.
Forms
- plural
- electronics
electronic · Of or pertaining to an electron or electrons.
electronics · The study and use of electrical devices that operate by…electrons · The digital or electronic version of a document.elegance · Grace, refinement, and beauty in movement, appearance, or…