electrophorus

[ ih-lek-trof-er-uh s, ee-lek- ]
/ ɪ lɛkˈtrɒf ər əs, ˌi lɛk- /

noun, plural e·lec·troph·o·ri [ih-lek-trof-uh-rahy, ee-lek-] /ɪ lɛkˈtrɒf əˌraɪ, ˌi lɛk-/.

an instrument for generating static electricity by means of induction.

Origin of electrophorus

1770–80; electro- + -phorus, Latinization of -phore

Words nearby electrophorus

electrophile, electrophilic, electrophone, electrophorese, electrophoresis, electrophorus, electrophotography, electrophrenic respiration, electrophysiology, electroplaque, electroplate

Example sentences from the Web for electrophorus

British Dictionary definitions for electrophorus

electrophorus
/ (ɪlɛkˈtrɒfərəs, ˌiːlɛk-) /

noun

an apparatus for generating static electricity. It consists of an insulating plate charged by friction and used to charge a metal plate by induction

Word Origin for electrophorus

C18: from electro- + -phorus, from Greek -phoros bearing, from pherein to bear

Scientific definitions for electrophorus

electrophorus
[ ĭ-lĕk′trŏf′ər-əs, ē′lĕk- ]

Plural electrophori

An electrostatic generator, constructed like one half of a large capacitor, the other half being any grounded surface, such as a table. A small charge is given to the electrophorus when it is near the grounded surface, effectively charging it like capacitor. As the electrophorous is lifted away from the surface, its voltage relative to the surface increases (as the capacitance decreases).