batterie
[ bat-uh-ree; French batuh-ree ]
/ ˈbæt ə ri; French batəˈri /
noun, plural bat·te·ries [bat-uh-reez; French batuh-ree] /ˈbæt ə riz; French batəˈri/. Ballet.
a beating together of the calves or feet during a leap.
(in tap dancing) a rapid succession of taps, often compared to drumming or to machine-gun fire.
Origin of batterie
From French, dating back to 1705–15; see origin at
battery
Words nearby batterie
Definition for batteries (2 of 2)
battery
[ bat-uh-ree ]
/ ˈbæt ə ri /
noun, plural bat·ter·ies.
Origin of battery
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH battery
assault batteryExample sentences from the Web for batteries
British Dictionary definitions for batteries
battery
/ (ˈbætərɪ) /
noun plural -teries
Word Origin for battery
C16: from Old French
batterie beating, from
battre to beat, from Latin
battuere
Medical definitions for batteries
battery
[ băt′ə-rē ]
n.
The act of beating or pounding.
An array of similar things intended for use together, such as achievement tests.
Scientific definitions for batteries
battery
[ băt′ə-rē ]
A device containing an electric cell or a series of electric cells storing energy that can be converted into electrical power (usually in the form of direct current). Common household batteries, such as those used in a flashlight, are usually made of dry cells (the chemicals producing the current are made into a paste). In other batteries, such as car batteries, these chemicals are in liquid form.
A Closer Look
A battery stores chemical energy, which it converts to electrical energy. A typical battery, such as a car battery, is composed of an arrangement of galvanic cells. Each cell contains two metal electrodes, separate from each other, immersed within an electrolyte containing both positive and negative ions. A chemical reaction between the electrodes and the electrolyte, similar to that found in electroplating, takes place, and the metals dissolve in the electrolyte, leaving electrons behind on the electrodes. However, the metals dissolve at different rates, so a greater number of electrons accumulate at one electrode (creating the negative electrode) than at the other electrode (which becomes the positive electrode). This gives rise to an electric potential between the electrodes, which are typically linked together in series and parallel to one another in order to provide the desired voltage at the battery terminals (12 volts, for example, for a car battery). The buildup of charge on the electrodes prevents the metals from dissolving further, but if the battery is hooked up to an electric circuit through which current may flow, electrons are drawn out of the negative electrodes and into the positive ones, reducing their charge and allowing further chemical reactions.
Cultural definitions for batteries
battery
A device that produces an electric current (see also current) by harnessing the chemical reactions that take place within its cells.