Voltameter
/ˌvoʊltˈæmɪtər/noun
An instrument used to measure the quantity of electricity passed by electrolysis.
Did you know?The word was coined in the 19th century from the name *volt* plus *-meter*, and *volt* itself honors Alessandro Volta, whose experiments helped turn electricity from mystery into measurable power.
Etymological Timeline
1780s-1800s
Italian/English
Volta
“The surname of Alessandro Volta, the Italian physicist whose name was later used for electrical units.”
19th Century
English
volt
“A unit of electric potential, named after Volta.”
19th Century
English
-meter
“A measuring device or measure, from Greek roots meaning 'measure'.”
19th Century
English
voltameter
“A device for measuring the quantity of electricity by the amount of chemical change produced in electrolysis.”
Modern English
English
voltameter
“An instrument used to measure electric charge passed through an electrolytic cell.”