positron
[ poz-i-tron ]
/ ˈpɒz ɪˌtrɒn /
|
noun Physics.
an elementary particle having the same mass and spin as an electron but having a positive charge equal in magnitude to that of the electron's negative charge; the antiparticle of the electron.
Nearby words
- positive vetting,
- positive-negative pressure breathing,
- positively,
- positivism,
- positivity,
- positron emission tomography,
- positronium,
- posole,
- posologic,
- posology
Origin of positron
Also called antielectron, positive electron.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for positron
positron
/ (ˈpɒzɪˌtrɒn) /
noun
physics the antiparticle of the electron, having the same mass but an equal and opposite charge. It is produced in certain decay processes and in pair production, annihilation occurring when it collides with an electron
Word Origin for positron
C20: from posi (tive + elec) tron
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
positron
1933, coined from posi(tive) (elec)tron.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
positron
[ pŏz′ĭ-trŏn′ ]
n.
A positively charged particle of the same mass and magnitude of charge as an electron.antielectron positive electron
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
positron
[ pŏz′ĭ-trŏn′ ]
The antiparticle that corresponds to an electron. Also called antielectron
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
positron
[ (poz-i-tron) ]
The antiparticle for an electron; it has the same mass as an electron, but carries a positive charge.
Note
Positrons are found in collisions initiated by cosmic rays.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.