non-electrolytic
|non-e-lec-tro-lyt-ic|
🇺🇸
/nɑnɪˌlɛktrəˈlɪtɪk/
🇬🇧
/nɒnɪˌlɛktrəˈlɪtɪk/
not involving electrolysis; does not dissociate into ions
Etymology
'non-electrolytic' is a compound formed from the prefix 'non-' (meaning 'not') + 'electrolytic', where 'electrolytic' relates to 'electrolysis' (from Greek elements meaning 'amber' and 'loosening').
'electrolytic' comes from 'electrolysis' (coined in the 19th century from Greek 'ēlektron' meaning 'amber' and 'lysis' meaning 'loosening, dissolving'). The adjective 'electrolytic' then acquired the negated form 'non-electrolytic' by adding the English prefix 'non-' to indicate absence of that property.
Initially 'electrolytic' described processes or substances related to electrolysis; adding 'non-' simply negates that sense to mean 'not related to or not producing electrolysis.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not involving or caused by electrolysis; not undergoing electrochemical decomposition when an electric current is applied.
The experiment used a non-electrolytic medium to avoid decomposition of the reactants during current flow.
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Adjective 2
describing a substance or solution that does not dissociate into ions and therefore does not conduct electric current by ion movement (i.e., not an electrolyte).
Many organic solvents are non-electrolytic and remain poor conductors even when stirred.
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Last updated: 2025/11/17 09:24