cathodes
|cath-odes|
🇺🇸
/ˈkæθoʊdz/
🇬🇧
/ˈkæθəʊdz/
(cathode)
downward way → electrode defined by electron flow/reduction
Etymology
'cathode' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'kathodos', where 'kata-' meant 'down' and 'hodos' meant 'way'.
'cathode' changed from the Greek word 'kathodos' and was adopted into scientific English in the early 19th century as a term for one of the electrodes in electrical experiments.
Initially it meant 'a way down' or 'descent', but over time it evolved into its current technical meaning of 'an electrode (often the negative one) where current leaves or reduction occurs'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an electrode through which electric current flows out of a polarized electrical device; in electrochemistry, the electrode at which reduction occurs (often referred to as the negative electrode in many devices).
During electroplating, the cathodes attract metal ions and gain mass.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/24 11:48