cation

American  

[kat-ahy-uhn, -on] / ˈkætˌaɪ ən, -ɒn /

Or kation

noun

Physical Chemistry.

1. a positively charged ion that is attracted to the cathode in electrolysis.

2. any positively charged atom or group of atoms (anion ).

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cation British  

/ ˈkætaɪən, ˌkætaɪˈɒnɪk /

noun

1. a positively charged ion; an ion that is attracted to the cathode during electrolysis Compare anion

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cation Scientific  

/ kăt′ī′ən /

1. An ion with net positive charge, having more protons than electrons. In electrolysis, cations migrate to a negatively charged cathode.

2. Compare anion

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Other Word Forms

• cationic adjective
• cationically adverb

Etymology

Origin of cation

1825–35; < Greek katión going down (neuter of katiṓn, present participle of kateînai ), equivalent to kat- cat- ( def. ) + -i- go + -on neuter present participle suffix