cathode Hear it!

cathode Definition

cath·ode (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

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

cathode Related Forms
ca·thodic (ka t̸hädik) adjective
cathode Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • diode: In this the cathode of the diode is earthed and the top of the output waveform is clamped to zero volts.

Converse of object

  • focus: Months ago is the march session focusing the cathode.
  • use: The model is applied in evaluation of a remote virtual cathode system for use with the display using thermionic filament cathodes.
  • make: In this way, all of the current through the valve works with the resistors to make the cathode slightly positive.
  • have: Back to the lights - I have some old maplin cathodes left over from times yonder.

Adjective modifier

  • cold: With TWO UV cold cathodes lighting up the UV reactive acrylic panel evenly.
  • negative: On passing a low d.c. voltage the metal is deposited on the conducting negative cathode.
  • blue: I have on blue cold cathode and it is sufficient for a window of this size.
  • hollow: A copper cold finger, attached to a hollow copper cathode, is cooled using liquid nitrogen.
  • heated: In the Coolidge tube, the bulb could be completely evacuated and electrons were liberated from a heated spiral cathode.
  • nice: Maybe a nice cathode or 5 in there to make it shiney too:D.

Modifies a noun

  • ray: The front glass: a section of a sphere Previous cathode ray tubes were curved for a good reason.
  • oscilloscope: He had the idea in 1916 of using cathode ray oscilloscopes to do this, but this did not come to fruition until 1923.
  • tube: The front glass: a section of a sphere Previous cathode ray tubes were curved for a good reason.
  • resistor: If the IF amplifier valve has a cathode bias resistor, check it's on value.
  • electrode: You may require a small toroidal shape magnet in front of the cathode electrode in order to focus the electron stream into a beam?
  • voltage: If it all seems OK but there's nothing going on in the speaker, check the output valve's cathode voltage.

Noun used with modifier

  • copper: A copper cold finger, attached to a hollow copper cathode, is cooled using liquid nitrogen.
  • waste: ICER - Materials recovery from waste cathode ray tubes ( CRTs ).
  • carbon: The carbon cathode is added, and the rod inserted, pushing the paper against the walls of the cans.