cathode
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From Ancient Greek κατα- (kata-, “down”) and ὁδός (hodós, “journey, way”), forming the New Greek compound κάθοδος (káthodos, “way down, descent”). Coined by English polymath William Whewell in 1834 for Michael Faraday, who introduced it later that year.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
cathode (plural cathodes)
- (electricity) An electrode, of a cell or other electrically polarized device, through which a positive current of electricity flows outwards (and thus, electrons flow inwards). It can have either a negative or a positive voltage with respect to anode of the same polarized device (depending on whether the device is a load or a source, respectively).
- (chemistry) (by extension) The electrode at which chemical reduction of cations takes place, usually resulting in the deposition of metal onto the electrode.
- (electronics) The electrode from which electrons are emitted into a vacuum tube or gas-filled tube.
- (electronics) That electrode of a semiconductor device which is connected to the n-type material of a p-n junction.
Antonyms edit
Derived terms edit
Related terms edit
Translations edit
electrode through which current flows outward
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French edit
Pronunciation edit
Audio (file)
Noun edit
cathode f (plural cathodes)
Further reading edit
- “cathode”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.