cathode

(kat̸hōd′)

noun

  1. in an electroplating cell, the negatively charged electrode, from which current flows
  2. in an electron tube, the negatively charged electron emitter
  3. in a battery that is a source of electric current, as a dry cell or storage battery, the positive electrode which receives the electrons from the external circuit

Origin: coined by Michael Faraday < Gr kathodos, descent < kata-, down + -ode

Related Forms:

See cathode in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun Abbr. ka
  1. A negatively charged electrode, as of an electrolytic cell, a storage battery, or an electron tube.
  2. The positively charged terminal of a primary cell or a storage battery that is supplying current.

Origin:

Origin: Greek kathodos, descent

Origin: : kat-, kata-, cata-

Origin: + hodos, way, path

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Related Forms:

  • ca·thodˈic (kă-thŏdˈĭk) adjective
  • ca·thodˈi·cal·ly adverb

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