Cathode

noun

/ˈkæθoʊd/

The electrode at which reduction (gain of electrons) occurs in an electrochemical cell — in a galvanic cell (battery), the cathode is the positive terminal; in an electrolytic cell, the cathode is the negative terminal; in both cases, cations (positive ions) migrate toward the cathode.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

Just as a cathode quietly draws current to the point where reduction occurs, an effective grievance-redressal mechanism must function as the institutional terminal at which accumulated public discontent is received and resolved, rather than allowed to discharge disruptively elsewhere.

Synonyms

negative electrodeterminalelectrodeconductorcontact

Antonyms

anodepositive electrode

🌱 Word Family

cathode (n), cathodic (adj), cathode-ray (n compound), cathodically (adv), catholyte (n)

🔡 Root

Greek kathodos (κάθοδος) = way down/descent; kata = down; hodos = way/path; coined by Faraday 1834 on Whewell's advice

📜 Etymology

From Greek kathodos (κάθοδος, "way down, descent"), from kata ("down") + hodos ("way, path"); coined by Michael Faraday in 1834 on the advice of William Whewell, referring to the path that cations take "downward" to the electrode.

🧠 Memory Hook

"Cat-hode" sounds like the "way DOWN" path the Greek 'kathodos' describes - and a CAThode attracts CATions (positive ions) that descend onto it during reduction.

⚗️ General Science 📖 Seen in: Electrochemistry & Batteries — Electro...

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