1. 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
   "The electrician was hospitalized after receiving an electric shock while working on a power line"
    
2. A reflex response to the passage of electric current through the body
   "subjects received a small electric shock when they made the wrong response";
   - electrical shock, shock
    
3. The use of electricity to administer punishment or torture
   "they used cattle prods to administer electric shocks"

Derived forms: electric shocks

Type of: corporal punishment, harm, hurt, inborn reflex, injury, innate reflex, instinctive reflex, physiological reaction, reflex, reflex action, reflex response, torture, torturing, trauma, unconditioned reflex

Encyclopedia: Electric shock