In 19th-century physiology, the altered excitability of a nerve or muscle near the cathode during electrical stimulation.
From cate- (cathode-related) plus electrotonus (alteration of nerve excitability). A technical term from early neurophysiology combining Greek and Latin elements.
Scientists once thought electricity affected nerves differently at different poles, and they had separate words for each effect—we now know it's all about ion channels, but the old terms reveal how wrong even brilliant scientists can confidently be.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.