The negative pole of a galvanic battery or the electrode connected with it; the electrode toward which positively charged ions (cations) migrate and are reduced, and into which electrons are fed from their source (anode or generator). Cf.:anode. SYN: negative electrode. [G. kathodos, a way down, fr. kata, down, + hodos, a way]
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cath·ode 'kath-.ōd n
1) the electrode of an electrochemical cell at which reduction occurs: as
a) the negative terminal of an electrolytic cell
b) the positive terminal of a storage battery that is delivering current
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cath·ode (kathґōd) [cata- + hodos way] 1. in an electrochemical cell, the electrode at which reduction occurs, i.e., the negative electrode in an electrolytic cell or a storage battery and the positive electrode in a voltaic cell that delivers current. 2. the negative electrode of devices such as electron tubes, x-ray tubes, and electrophoresis cells. Symbol C. Cf. anode. cathodic adjMedical dictionary. 2011.