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A wind associated with a volcanic outburst and due to the eruption or to convection currents over hot lava.

ve force which steadily applied to a conductor whose resistance is one ohm will produce a current of one ampère. It is practically equivalent to

A unit of electric measurement equal to the product of a volt and an ampere. For direct current it is a measure of power and is the same as a watt; for alternating current it is a measure of apparent power.

An instrument for the exact measurement of electric currents.

Of or pertaining to Alessandro Volta, who first devised apparatus for developing electric currents by chemical action, and established this branch of electric science; discovered by Volta; as, voltaic electricity.

A wave or current of wind. "Everywaft of the air." Longfellow. In this dire season, oft the whirlwind's wing Sweeps up the burden of whole wintry plains In one wide waft. Thomson.

The backward current or disturbed water caused by the action of oars, or of a steamer's screw or paddles, etc.

ank of a river, to protect the abutment of the bridge and the bank from the action of the current.

Without any power (cf. Watt); -- said of an alternating current or component of current when it differs in phase by ninety degrees from the electromotive force which produces it, or of an electromotive force or component thereof when the current it produces differs from it in phase by 90 degrees.

trument for measuring power in watts, -- much used in measuring the energy of an electric current.

any thing or person that turns easily and frequently; one who veers with every change of current opinion; a fickle, inconstant person.

The standard unit of electrical quantity, and also of current. See Coulomb, and Amp. [Obs.]

motion caused by its flowing in an irregular channel, by the coming together of opposing currents, or the like.

xtent, as the tornado, characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with an upward current in the center; a vortex of air. It usually has a rapid progressive motion. The swift dark whirlwind that uproots the woods. And drowns the villages. Bryant.

Air naturally in motion with any degree of velocity; a current of air. Except wind stands as never it stood, It is an ill wind that turns none to good. Tusser . Winds were soft, and woods were green. Longfellow.

A gold coin formerly current in Egypt and Turkey, of the value of about 9s. 6d., or about $2.30; -- also, in Morocco, a ducat.

ease opposition; to be no longer a hindrance or an obstacle; as, men readily yield to the current of opinion, or to customs; the door yielded. Will ye relent, And yield to mercy while 't is offered you Shak.

bsolute. -- Zero method (Physics), a method of comparing, or measuring, forces, electric currents, etc., by so opposing them that the pointer of an indicating apparatus, or the needle of a galvanometer, remains at, or is brought to, zero, as contrasted with methods in which the deflection is observed directly; -- call…