cathode
[ kath-ohd ]
/ ˈkæθ oʊd /
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noun
the electrode or terminal by which current leaves an electrolytic cell, voltaic cell, battery, etc.
the positive terminal of a voltaic cell or battery.
the negative terminal, electrode, or element of an electron tube or electrolytic cell.
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Origin of cathode
Words nearby cathode
cathetus, cathexis, Cathie, Cathleen, Catho, cathode, cathode dark space, cathode glow, cathode ray, cathode rays, cathode-ray tube
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Example sentences from the Web for cathode
British Dictionary definitions for cathode
cathode
/ (ˈkæθəʊd) /
noun
the negative electrode in an electrolytic cell; the electrode by which electrons enter a device from an external circuit
the negatively charged electron source in an electronic valve
the positive terminal of a primary cell
Compare anode
Derived forms of cathode
cathodal (kæˈθəʊdəl), cathodic (kæˈθɒdɪk, -ˈθəʊ-) or cathodical, adjectiveWord Origin for cathode
C19: from Greek kathodos a descent, from kata- down + hodos way
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for cathode
cathode
[ kăth′ōd′ ]
The negative electrode in an electrolytic cell, toward which positively charged particles are attracted. The cathode has a negative charge because it is connected to the negatively charged end of an external power supply.
The source of electrons in an electrical device, such as a vacuum tube or diode.
The positive electrode of a voltaic cell, such as a battery. The cathode gets its positive charge from the chemical reaction that happens inside the battery, not from an external source. Compare anode.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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