[f. the name of Volta: see VOLTAIC a.] The practical unit of electromotive force; the difference of potential capable of sending a current of one ampere through a conductor whose resistance is one ohm.
1873. F. Jenkin, Electr. & Magn., x. § 2. There is already a unit of electromotive force in practical use called a volt. The volt is intended to represent 108 absolute units.
1881. Sir W. Thomson, in Rep. Brit. Assoc., 518. Nothing above 200 volts ought … to be admitted … where safeguards against accident cannot be made absolutely … trustworthy.
1892. Electr. Engin., 16 Sept., 283/1. The small glow lamp requires from 0·6 to 0·8 amperes and four volts to fully light it.
b. attrib. (with numeral preceding).
1881. Sir W. Thomson, in Rep. Brit. Assoc., 518. To take energy direct from the electric main with its 80,000 volts, and supply it by secondary 200-volt dynamos or 100-volt dynamos.
1890. Anthony’s Photogr. Bull., III. 223. Five cells of this battery will light the six volt lamp.
