cathode
UK[ˈkæθ.əʊd]US[ˈkæθ.oʊd]
n
the electrode in an electrical device where reduction occurs; the negative terminal in a battery or the positive terminal in an electrolytic cell.
n
the electrode by which electrons enter an electrical device.
Morpheme Breakdown
cata
hodos
cata
down
hodos
way
Etymology
the word 'cathode' was coined in 1834 by the english scientist michael faraday, upon the suggestion of the scholar william whewell. faraday needed a term for the electrode where electric current leaves an electrolyte, conceptualizing it as the 'way down' for the current. he derived it from the greek 'kata' (downwards) and 'hodos' (path or way). this literal greek construction, meaning 'the downward path', elegantly captures the directional flow of conventional current (considered positive) into the device, even though we now understand the cathode as the point where electrons (negative) enter.
Analysis
Structure: cata (down) + hodos (way)
cata- is a prefix from greek meaning 'down' or 'along'. -hode is from the greek 'hodos', meaning 'way' or 'path'.
Examples
in a discharging battery, the cathode is the positive terminal.
the electrons flow from the anode to the cathode.
the researcher observed the formation of a metal deposit on the cathode.