Noun: cathode 'ka,thowd
- (electronics) a negatively charged electrode that is the source of electrons entering an electrical device
"The cathode provided electrons for the circuit.";
- kathode [archaic]
- (electrochemical cells) the positively charged terminal of a voltaic cell or storage battery that supplies current
"He connected the wire to the cathode of the battery";
- kathode [archaic]
Derived forms: cathodes
Type of: depot, electrode, terminal, terminus
Antonym: anode
Part of: accumulator, electrolytic cell, electron tube, galvanic cell, primary cell, storage battery, thermionic tube, thermionic vacuum tube, thermionic valve, tube, vacuum tube, voltaic cell
Encyclopedia: Cathode