electropositive

[ ih-lek-troh-poz-i-tiv ]

adjective

, Physical Chemistry.

1. containing positive electricity; tending to migrate to the negative pole in electrolysis.
2. assuming positive potential when in contact with a dissimilar substance.
3. basic, as an element or group.

electropositive

/ ɪˌlɛktrəʊˈpɒzɪtɪv /

adjective

1. having a positive electric charge
2. See electronegative
   (of an atom, group, molecule, etc) tending to release electrons and form positive ions or polarized bonds Compare electronegative

electropositive

/ ĭ-lĕk′trō-pŏz′ĭ-tĭv /

1. Tending to donate electrons and to form a positive ion. Metals are generally electropositive.
2. Having a positive electric charge.
3. Capable of acting as a positive electrode.

Word History and Origins

Origin of electropositive¹

First recorded in 1840–50; electro- + positive

Example Sentences

Part (D) showed that iron is electropositive to copper, as the current flowed from iron to copper in the cell.

From Project Gutenberg