cation
or kat·i·on
[ kat-ahy-uhn, -on ]
/ ˈkætˌaɪ ən, -ɒn /
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noun Physical Chemistry.
a positively charged ion that is attracted to the cathode in electrolysis.
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
OTHER WORDS FROM cation
cat·i·on·ic [kat-ahy-on-ik], /ˌkæt aɪˈɒn ɪk/, adjectivecat·i·on·i·cal·ly, adverbWords nearby cation
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for cation
British Dictionary definitions for cation
cation
/ (ˈkætaɪən) /
noun
a positively charged ion; an ion that is attracted to the cathode during electrolysisCompare anion
Derived forms of cation
cationic (ˌkætaɪˈɒnɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for cation
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
Medical definitions for cation
cation
[ kăt′ī′ən ]
n.
An ion or group of ions having a positive charge and characteristically moving toward the negative electrode in electrolysis.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for cation
cation
[ kăt′ī′ən ]
An ion with net positive charge, having more protons than electrons. In electrolysis, cations migrate to a negatively charged cathode. Compare anion.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.