[dahy-i-lek-trik] 
Electricity| 1. | a nonconducting substance; insulator. |
| 2. | a substance in which an electric field can be maintained with a minimum loss of power. |
| 3. | of or pertaining to a dielectric substance. |
| di·e·lec·tric (dī'ĭ-lěk'trĭk) n. A nonconductor of electricity, especially a substance with electrical conductivity of less than a millionth (10-6) of a siemens. [di(a)- + electric.] di'e·lec'tric adj., di'e·lec'tri·cal·ly adv. |
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. Glass, wood, and plastic are common dielectrics. (See insulator.)
| dielectric (dī'ĭ-lěk'trĭk) Pronunciation Key
Adjective Having little or no ability to conduct electricity, generally as a result of having no electrons that are free to move. Noun A dielectric substance, especially one used in a capacitor to maintain an electric field between the plates. |
ɪˈlɛk