dielectric

[ dahy-i-lek-trik ]

noun

1. a nonconducting substance; insulator.
2. a substance in which an electric field can be maintained with a minimum loss of power.

adjective

1. of or relating to a dielectric substance.

dielectric

/ ˌdaɪɪˈlɛktrɪk /

noun

1. a substance or medium that can sustain a static electric field within it
2. a substance or body of very low electrical conductivity; insulator

adjective

1. of, concerned with, or having the properties of a dielectric

dielectric

/ dī′ĭ-lĕk′trĭk /

Adjective

1. Having little or no ability to conduct electricity, generally as a result of having no electrons that are free to move.

Noun

1. A dielectric substance, especially one used in a capacitor to maintain an electric field between the plates.

dielectric

1. A material that conducts ( see conduction ) electricity poorly or not at all. If a voltage is applied to a dielectric, the atoms in the material arrange themselves in such a way as to oppose the flow of electric current (see also current ). Glass, wood, and plastic are common dielectrics. ( See insulator .)

Derived Forms

• ˌdieˈlectrically, adverb

Other Words From

• die·lectri·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dielectric¹

First recorded in 1830–40; di- ³ + electric

Word History and Origins

Origin of dielectric¹

from dia- + electric

Example Sentences

According to a study published in Nature, an international team of researchers from Rice University and Hanyang University developed the material by embedding clusters of highly dielectric ceramic nanoparticles into an elastic polymer.

From Science Daily

Moreover, by manipulating the chemical composition of the crystal, valuable electromagnetic properties such as dielectric properties, which finds applications in electronics and capacitors, can be precisely engineered.

From Science Daily

They are made of dielectric materials that polarize on the application of the voltage.

From Science Daily

"We found that dielectric relaxation time can be modulated or induced by a very small gap in the material structure," Bae explained.

From Science Daily

“The pigeons would go and roost at the small end of the horn, and they deposited what Arno called a white dielectric material,” Dr. Wilson said.

From New York Times