The positive electrode in an electrical device through which electric current enters or is collected.
From Greek ana- (up, back) + hodos (way, path), coined in 1834 by English scientist William Whewell. Originally described the electrode where current was thought to travel upward, though the actual electron flow is opposite.
Batteries work because chemicals create a charge imbalance—electrons pile up at the negative end (cathode) and are desperate to escape to the positive end (anode). It's like water pressure building up behind a dam, except with tiny invisible particles!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.