negative electricity

noun

1. the electricity present in a body or substance that has an excess of electrons, as the electricity developed on a resin when rubbed with flannel.

Word History and Origins

Origin of negative electricity¹

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

Positive and negative electricity may be distinguished from each other by the manner in which they appear at the points of bodies.

From Project Gutenberg

There is reason for believing, therefore, that the cathode rays are rapidly moving charges of negative electricity.

From Project Gutenberg

But how can we account for the positive electricity of the smoke, and the negative electricity of the falling ashes?

From Project Gutenberg

To-day we have definite experimental proof that negative electricity is composed of separate particles or units.

From Project Gutenberg

It will be well to keep clearly in mind that an electron is a real particle of negative electricity.

From Project Gutenberg