anode

/an"ohd/, n.

1. the electrode or terminal by which current enters an electrolytic cell, voltaic cell, battery, etc.

2. the negative terminal of a voltaic cell or battery.

3. the positive terminal, electrode, or element of an electron tube or electrolytic cell.

[1825-35; < Gk ánodos way up, equiv. to an- AN-³ + hodós way, road]

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Terminal or electrode from which electrons leave a system.

In a battery or other source of direct current, the anode is the negative terminal. In a passive load it is the positive terminal. In an electron tube, electrons from the cathode travel across the tube toward the anode; in an electroplating cell, negative ions are deposited at the anode.

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▪ electronics

      the terminal or electrode from which electrons leave a system. In a battery or other source of direct current the anode is the negative terminal, but in a passive load it is the positive terminal. For example, in an electron tube electrons from the cathode travel across the tube toward the anode, and in an electroplating cell negative ions are deposited at the anode. Compare cathode.

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