Vol·ta·ic a.
1. 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.
2. Of or pertaining to voltaism, or voltaic electricity; as, voltaic induction; the voltaic arc.
Note: ☞ See the Note under Galvanism.
Voltaic arc, a luminous arc, of intense brilliancy, formed between carbon points as electrodes by the passage of a powerful voltaic current.
Voltaic battery, an apparatus variously constructed, consisting of a series of plates or pieces of dissimilar metals, as copper and zinc, arranged in pairs, and subjected to the action of a saline or acid solution, by which a current of electricity is generated whenever the two poles, or ends of the series, are connected by a conductor; a galvanic battery. See Battery, 4. (b), and Note.
Voltaic circuit. See under Circuit.
Voltaic couple or Voltaic element, a single pair of the connected plates of a battery.
Voltaic electricity. See the Note under Electricity.
Voltaic pile, a kind of voltaic battery consisting of alternate disks of dissimilar metals, separated by moistened cloth or paper. See 5th Pile.
Voltaic protection of metals, the protection of a metal exposed to the corrosive action of sea water, saline or acid liquids, or the like, by associating it with a metal which is positive to it, as when iron is galvanized, or coated with zinc.
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Cou·ple n.
1. That which joins or links two things together; a bond or tie; a coupler. [Obs.]
It is in some sort with friends as it is with dogs in couples; they should be of the same size and humor. --L'Estrange.
I'll go in couples with her. --Shak.
2. Two of the same kind connected or considered together; a pair; a brace. “A couple of shepherds.” --Sir P. Sidney. “A couple of drops” --Addison. “A couple of miles.” --Dickens. “A couple of weeks.” --Carlyle.
Adding one to one we have the complex idea of a couple. --Locke.
[Ziba] met him with a couple of asses saddled. --2 Sam. xvi. 1.
3. A male and female associated together; esp., a man and woman who are married or betrothed.
Such were our couple, man and wife. --Lloyd.
Fair couple linked in happy, nuptial league. --Milton.
4. Arch. See Couple-close.
5. Elec. One of the pairs of plates of two metals which compose a voltaic battery; -- called a voltaic couple or galvanic couple.
6. Mech. Two rotations, movements, etc., which are equal in amount but opposite in direction, and acting along parallel lines or around parallel axes.
Note: ☞ The effect of a couple of forces is to produce a rotation. A couple of rotations is equivalent to a motion of translation.