anode

1. The positive pole of a galvanic battery or the electrode connected with it; an electrode toward which negatively charged ions (anions) migrate; a positively charged electrode. Cf.:cathode. 2. The portion, usually made of tungsten, of an x-ray tube from which x-rays are released by bombardment by cathode rays (electrons). SYN: positive electrode. [G. anodos, a way up, fr. ana, up, + hodos, a way]

- rotating a. in diagnostic radiography, a mushroom-shaped a. in modern x-ray tubes that rotates rapidly to avoid local heat buildup from electron impact during x-ray generation.

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an·ode 'an-.ōd n

1) the electrode of an electrochemical cell at which oxidation occurs: as

a) the positive terminal of an electrolytic cell

b) the negative terminal of a storage battery that is delivering current

2) the electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube compare CATHODE

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an·ode (anґōd) [Gr. ana- up + hodos way] 1. in an electrochemical cell, the electrode at which oxidation occurs, i.e., the positive electrode in an electrolytic cell or a storage battery. It is the negative electrode in a voltaic cell that is delivering current. 2. the positive electrode of devices such as electron tubes, x-ray tubes, and electrophoresis cells. Symbol A. Cf. cathode. anodal adj