cathode

Pronunciation: /ˈkæθ.oʊd/

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a negatively charged electrode that is the source of electrons entering an electrical device
  2. noun the positively charged terminal of a voltaic cell or storage battery that supplies current

Etymology

From Ancient Greek κατα- (kata-, “down”) and ὁδός (hodós, “journey, way”), equivalent to Ancient Greek κάθοδος (káthodos, “way down, descent”). Coined by English polymath William Whewell in 1834 for Michael Faraday, who introduced it later that year. By surface analysis, cath- (alternative form of cata-) + -ode.

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
electrode
Narrower (hyponyms)
cold cathode, photocathode
Opposite (antonyms)
anode

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