Cationic

/kəˈtaɪɒnɪk/ adjective

Definition

In chemistry, describing a substance or compound containing or consisting of cations (positively charged ions).

Etymology

From 'cation' + '-ic' (adjective suffix). The suffix follows the standard English pattern of converting nouns to adjectives describing qualities or relationships.

Kelly Says

Materials scientists use 'cationic' to describe everything from detergents to polymers—it's one of those technical adjectives that suddenly appears everywhere once you start studying chemistry.

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