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cation

or kat·i·on

[kat-ahy-uh n, -on]
noun Physical Chemistry.
  1. a positively charged ion that is attracted to the cathode in electrolysis.
  2. any positively charged atom or group of atoms (opposed to anion).
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Origin of cation

1825–35; < Greek katión going down (neuter of katiṓn, present participle of kateînai), equivalent to kat- cat- + -i- go + -on neuter present participle suffix
Related formscat·i·on·ic [kat-ahy-on-ik] /ˌkæt aɪˈɒn ɪk/, adjectivecat·i·on·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for cation

Historical Examples

  • The remainder of the molecule, which usually consists of a single atom, is the cation.

    An Elementary Study of Chemistry

    William McPherson

  • It will be noticed that in neutralization the anion of the acid and the cation of the base are not changed.

  • For this class of grievances the present edu- cation of woman is responsible.

British Dictionary definitions for cation

cation

noun
  1. a positively charged ion; an ion that is attracted to the cathode during electrolysisCompare anion
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Derived Formscationic (ˌkætaɪˈɒnɪk), adjective

Word Origin

C19: from cata- + ion
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for cation

n.

1834, from Greek kation "going down," neuter present participle of katienai "to go down," from kata "down" (see cata-) + ienai "to go" (see ion). Proposed by the Rev. William Whewell (1794-1866), English polymath, and published by English physicist Michael Faraday.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
cation in Medicine

cation

(kăt′ī′ən)
n.
  1. An ion or group of ions having a positive charge and characteristically moving toward the negative electrode in electrolysis.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
cation in Science

cation

[kăt′ī′ən]
  1. An ion with net positive charge, having more protons than electrons. In electrolysis, cations migrate to a negatively charged cathode. Compare anion.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.