electrolytic
|e-lec-tro-ly-tic|
/ɪˌlɛktrəˈlɪtɪk/
related to electrolysis / decomposition by electricity
Etymology
'electrolytic' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the noun 'electrolysis' + the suffix '-ic', where 'electrolysis' referred to chemical decomposition by electric current and '-ic' meant 'pertaining to'.
'electrolysis' itself was formed in the 19th century from classical elements: 'electro-' from Greek 'ēlektron' meaning 'amber' (later extended to 'electricity') and '-lysis' from Greek 'lysis' meaning 'a loosening' or 'dissolution'. The adjective 'electrolytic' developed as the adjectival form of 'electrolysis'.
Initially it meant 'related to the process of decomposition by electric current'; over time this remained the core sense, while usage broadened to include things produced by, using, or characteristic of electrolytes and electrochemical processes.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a (rare) noun use referring to an electrolytic cell or an electrolytic device or process (i.e., something that performs electrolysis).
The factory installed a new electrolytic to improve metal purification.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to or caused by electrolysis; involving the chemical decomposition produced by passing an electric current through a substance (often a solution or molten compound).
Electrolytic processes are used to refine metals like copper and aluminum.
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Antonyms
Adjective 2
produced by or using an electrolyte (for example, an electrolytic capacitor uses an electrolyte to achieve capacitance).
The device contains electrolytic capacitors that provide high capacitance in a small package.
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Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/08 05:40