cation
What is another word for cation? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.
Noun — A positively charged ion, one that is drawn to the cathode during electrolysis.
Antonyms
anion
How to use cation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sodium cation
metal cation
cation and anion
positively charged cation
It is a technical chemistry term rather than everyday vocabulary.
Etymology
Cation is a learned borrowing from Ancient Greek, built from a word meaning "to go down" or "come down", itself formed from a prefix meaning "down" and a verb meaning "to go". It was coined in 1834 by the English polymath William Whewell for Michael Faraday, who introduced the term later that year.
Full origin of cation →Frequently asked questions
What is a cation?
A cation is a positively charged ion, one that moves towards the cathode during electrolysis.
What is the difference between a cation and an anion?
A cation carries a positive charge and moves towards the cathode, while an anion carries a negative charge and moves towards the anode.
Who coined the word cation?
William Whewell coined the term in 1834 for Michael Faraday, who then introduced it into scientific use later that year.
