electric shock

/ɪˈlɛkɾrɪk ʃɑk/

/ɪˈlɛktrɪk ʃɒk/

Other forms: electric shocks

Definitions of electric shock

1. noun

   trauma caused by the passage of electric current through the body (as from contact with high voltage lines or being struck by lightning); usually involves burns and abnormal heart rhythm and unconsciousness
   type of:

   harm, hurt, injury, trauma

   any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
2. noun

   the use of electricity to administer punishment or torture
   “they used cattle prods to administer electric shocks”

   type of:

   torture, torturing

   the deliberate, systematic, or wanton infliction of physical or mental suffering by one or more persons in an attempt to force another person to yield information or to make a confession or for any other reason

   corporal punishment

   the infliction of physical injury on someone convicted of committing a crime
3. noun

   a reflex response to the passage of electric current through the body
   “subjects received a small electric shock when they made the wrong response”

   synonyms: electrical shock, shock

   type of:

   inborn reflex, innate reflex, instinctive reflex, physiological reaction, reflex, reflex action, reflex response, unconditioned reflex

   an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus