Word Study
cation
CIDE DICTIONARY
cation, n. [Gr. downward + going, p. pr. of to go.].
a positively charged atom, radical, or molecule, which in electrolysis migrates to the cathode; a positive ion ; -- opposed to anion . Faraday. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
cation, n. a positively charged ion; an ion that is attracted to the cathode in electrolysis (opp. ANION).
Etymology
CATA- + ION
THESAURUS
cation
acid, acidity, agent, alkali, alkalinity, alloisomer, anion, antacid, atom, base, biochemical, chemical, chemical element, chromoisomer, compound, copolymer, dimer, electrocoating, electroetching, electrogalvanization, electrogilding, electrograving, electrolysis, electrolyte, electroplating, element, galvanization, heavy chemicals, high polymer, homopolymer, hydracid, inorganic chemical, ion, ionization, ionogen, isomer, macromolecule, metamer, molecule, monomer, neutralizer, nonacid, nonelectrolyte, organic chemical, oxyacid, polymer, pseudoisomer, radical, reagent, sulfacid, trimerFor further exploring for "cation" in Webster Dictionary Online