Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having no electric charge: Describes a particle, object, or system that is electrically neutral; it has an equal number of protons and electrons, resulting in no net electric charge.
   • Not loaded or filled: Refers to a device, such as a battery or a firearm, that lacks its required energy source (electrical charge or ammunition).
   • Not accused or burdened: In legal or figurative contexts, means not formally accused of a crime or not bearing a specified duty, responsibility, or emotional weight.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (No electric charge):

  • A neutron is an uncharged particle found in an atom's nucleus.
  • The experiment requires the metal sphere to be completely uncharged.

• Adjective (Not loaded/filled):

  • I couldn't start the car because the battery was uncharged.
  • For safety, always treat a gun as if it is loaded, even if you believe it is uncharged.

• Adjective (Not accused/burdened):

  • The suspect was released and remains uncharged.
  • She felt uncharged with the guilt that weighed on her colleagues.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific/Technical Context: Often used in physics and engineering to describe a state of electrical neutrality or a depleted energy source.
  • The capacitor must be fully discharged and uncharged before handling.
• Legal/Judicial Context: Used to specify the status of an individual in relation to formal allegations.
  • He was questioned for hours but was ultimately declared uncharged.

Variants and Related Words

• Discharge (verb): To remove a charge from; to release from a duty or obligation.
  • They had to discharge the battery before recycling it.
• Recharge (verb): To restore electrical charge to a battery.
  • I need to recharge my phone.
• Charge (noun/verb): The fundamental opposite state; an electrical property or the act of accusing.
  • The particle has a positive charge. / The police will charge him with theft.

Synonyms

• Neutral (adj): Having no net electric charge.
• Innocent (adj): Not guilty of a crime (in the legal sense of "not charged").
• Depleted (adj): Emptied or exhausted of a resource (for batteries).
• Unloaded (adj): Not containing ammunition.

Antonyms

• Charged (adj): Having an electric charge; formally accused; filled with energy or emotion.
  • A charged battery / A charged atmosphere / He was charged with robbery.

Adjective

1. of a particle or body or system; having no charge
   • an uncharged particle
   • an uncharged battery