Electron
/ɪˈlɛk.trɒn/noun
A negatively charged subatomic particle; also, a unit of electric charge in older scientific usage.
Did you know?The Greek word *ēlektron* meant “amber,” and from the static sparks discovered on amber came the entire modern family of words for electricity.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἤλεκτρον (ēlektron)
“amber; also a pale yellow metal alloy in some contexts”
Late Latin
Latin
electrum
“amber; later, a gold-silver alloy”
17th Century
English
electric
“relating to amber or to the force observed in rubbed amber”
19th Century
English
electron
“a name coined for the basic unit of electric charge”
Modern English
English
electron
“a negatively charged subatomic particle”