energetic

English

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌɛnɚˈd͡ʒɛtɪk/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌɛnəˈdʒɛtɪk/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛtɪk
• Hyphenation: en‧er‧get‧ic

Etymology 1

From New Latin energeticus (16th c.), or its source, Ancient Greek ἐνεργητικός (energētikós), from ἐνεργέω (energéō, “to be active”), from ἐνεργός (energós, “active”). By surface analysis, energy +‎ -etic.

Adjective

energetic (comparative more energetic, superlative most energetic)

1. (sciences) Possessing or pertaining to energy.

   Cosmic rays are energetic particles from outer space.

   energetic laws

   • 1898, Home Study for Electrical Workers, page 36:

     Now lift the inverted jar so that the air can get at the outside of the “porous cup” and instantly the energetic illuminating gas which is now inside the “porous cup” begins to come out, and the water rises in the glass tube to take its place.

2. Characterised by force or vigour; full of energy; lively, vigorous.

   Those kids are so energetic: they want to run around playing all day.

   • 1801, Abraham Bishop, An Oration on the Extent and Power of Political Delusion, page 38:

     They are even now insulted with all the arguments which have been used in favor of energetic governments, ever since the days of Pharaoh: but every one knew, long before our revolution, that an energetic government could be supported […]

3. (obsolete) Having powerful effects; efficacious, potent.
   • 1816, William Beckford, Vathek, Oxford, published 2013, page 82:

     At these energetic sounds, the sun hid himself beneath a gloomy cloud; and the waters of two little lakes, that were naturally clearer than crystal, became of a colour like blood.

Usage notes

• Where non-English languages use an adjective analogous to "energetic", English often uses "energy" attributively: "energy efficiency" is much more common than "energetic efficiency".

Alternative forms

• energetick (obsolete)

Derived terms

Related terms

• energetical

Collocations

Translations

Etymology 2

Possibly from a clipping of energetic materials.

Noun

energetic (plural energetics)

1. (materials science, chiefly in the plural) Any material used for its release of energy, either as an explosive, propellant, or for pyrotechnic effects.
   • 2014 February 25, James J . Myrick, Nanoparticles, Compositions, Manufacture and Applications‎, US Patent US-10858296-B1, column 106:

     Unfortunately, conventional nanoporous energetics can have poor long-term storage stability, and can be dangerously unstable, severely limiting their usefulness.

   • 2022 April 20, Nadia Schadlow, Brady Helwig, “Ukraine war shows America could be outgunned without investing in energetics”, in Breaking Defense‎, Breaking Media, archived from the original on 2022-04-20:

     Improved energetics can help the Department of Defense build smaller munitions that still pack a punch.

   • 2023 March 13, 32:11 from the start, Arming Ukraine, in Joseph Camp, director, PBS NewsHour‎ (television production), spoken by William LaPlante, via Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), archived from the original on 2023-03-10:

     Where I will say there is something that we all have to watch is the underlying suppliers, the suppliers of solid rockets motors, of batteries, of energetics.

Hyponyms

• explosive, propellant, pyrotechnic

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from French énergétique. By surface analysis, energie +‎ -etic.

Adjective

energetic m or n (feminine singular energetică, masculine plural energetici, feminine and neuter plural energetice)

1. energetic

Declension