selenium cell

American  

noun

Electricity.

1. a photovoltaic cell consisting of a thin strip of selenium placed between two metal electrodes.

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selenium cell British  

noun

1. a photoelectric cell containing a strip of selenium between two metal electrodes

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Etymology

Origin of selenium cell

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

selenium cell

The sensitive selenium cell proved unreliable, however, and this means of communication was destined to failure.

From Masters of Space Morse, Thompson, Bell, Marconi, Carty by Towers, Walter Kellogg

The faithful little selenium cell burglar alarm had done the trick.

From The War Terror by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)

Then he came back and lifted his hat, hiding as much as possible the selenium cell, letting the light fall on it.

From The Exploits of Elaine by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)

Stebbins of Urbana has been very successful in its application and he discovered the secondary minimum of Algol with the selenium cell.

From Astronomy: The Science of the Heavenly Bodies by Todd, David Peck

On the window-sill outside is a selenium cell.

From The Silent Bullet by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)