English dictionary · noun

cathode

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).

Meaning and definitions

1. 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).
2. The electrode at which chemical reduction of cations takes place, usually resulting in the deposition of metal onto the electrode.
3. The electrode from which electrons are emitted into a vacuum tube or gas-filled tube.

Connected roots

• -ody

  song

Explore the word family

These words share a recorded root connection. A shared root is a learning clue; it does not establish every step in a word’s history.

• tragedy

  a play or event dealing with tragic events and an unhappy ending

• melody

  a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying

• electrode

  The terminal through which electric current passes between metallic and nonmetallic parts of an electric circuit.

• diode

  An electronic device that allows current to flow in one direction only; used chiefly as a rectifier.

• anode

  An electrode, of a cell or other electrically polarized device, through which a positive current of electricity flows inwards (and thus, electrons flow outwards). It can have either a positive or a negative voltage with respect to cathode of the same polarized device (depending on whether the device is a load or a source, respectively).

• triode

  A thermionic valve containing an anode, a cathode, and a control grid; small changes to the charge on the grid control the flow from cathode to anode, which makes amplification possible.

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