electrophorus

noun

elec·​troph·​o·​rus i-ˌlek-ˈträ-fə-rəs How to pronounce electrophorus (audio)
plural electrophori i-ˌlek-ˈträ-fə-ˌrī How to pronounce electrophorus (audio) -ˌrē How to pronounce electrophorus (audio)
: a device for producing electric charges consisting of a disk that is negatively electrified by friction and a metal plate that becomes charged by induction when placed on the disk

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from electr- + -phorus -phore

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of electrophorus was in 1778

Dictionary Entries Near electrophorus

Cite this Entry

“Electrophorus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electrophorus. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

electrophorus

noun
elec·​troph·​o·​rus i-ˌlek-ˈträf-ə-rəs How to pronounce electrophorus (audio)
plural electrophori -ˌrī How to pronounce electrophorus (audio) -ˌrē How to pronounce electrophorus (audio)
: a device for producing electric charges consisting of a disk that is negatively electrified by friction and a metal plate that becomes charged by induction when placed on the disk

More from Merriam-Webster on electrophorus

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!