ion
pronunciation
How to pronounce ion in British English:
UK [ˈaɪən]
How to pronounce ion in American English:
US [ˈaɪən]
-
- Noun:
- a particle that is electrically charged (positive or negative); an atom or molecule or group that has lost or gained one or more electrons
Word Origin
- ion (n.)
- 1834, introduced by English physicist and chemist Michael Faraday (suggested by the Rev. William Whewell, English polymath), coined from Greek ion, neuter present participle of ienai "go," from PIE root *ei- (1) "to go, to walk" (cognates: Greek eimi "I go;" Latin ire "to go," iter "a way;" Old Irish ethaim "I go;" Irish bothar "a road" (from *bou-itro- "cows' way"), Gaulish eimu "we go," Gothic iddja "went," Sanskrit e'ti "goes," imas "we go," ayanam "a going, way;" Avestan ae'iti "goes;" Old Persian aitiy "goes;" Lithuanian eiti "to go;" Old Church Slavonic iti "go;" Bulgarian ida "I go;" Russian idti "to go"). So called because ions move toward the electrode of opposite charge.
Example
- 1. The ion in the other clock was kept fixed .
- 2. But even ion thrusters have limitations .
- 3. Ion engines give a pretty feeble kick .
- 4. Ion channels are known to regulate signaling between such neurons .
- 5. These vibrations turn the ion into a sort of superfast metronome .