ion

¹

[ahy-uhn, ahy-on]

noun

Physics, Chemistry.

1. an electrically charged atom or group of atoms formed by the loss or gain of one or more electrons, as a cation positive ion, which is created by electron loss and is attracted to the cathode in electrolysis, or as an anion negative ion, which is created by an electron gain and is attracted to the anode. The valence of an ion is equal to the number of electrons lost or gained and is indicated by a plus sign for cations and a minus sign for anions, thus: Na + , Cl−, Ca ++ , S = .

2. one of the electrically charged particles formed in a gas by electric discharge or the like.

Ion

²

[ahy-on]

noun

1. Classical Mythology.,  the eponymous ancestor of the Ionians: a son of Apollo and Creusa who is abandoned by his mother but returns to become an attendant in Apollo's temple at Delphi.

2. (italics),  a drama on this subject (415? b.c.) by Euripides.

-ion

³

1. a suffix, appearing in words of Latin origin, denoting action or condition, used in Latin and in English to form nouns from stems of Latin adjectives (communion; union ), verbs (legion; opinion ), and especially past participles (allusion; creation; fusion; notion; torsion ).

Ion.

⁴

abbreviation

1. Ionic.

ion

¹

/ ˈaɪən, -ɒn /

noun

1. an electrically charged atom or group of atoms formed by the loss or gain of one or more electrons See also cation anion

-ion

²

suffix

1. indicating an action, process, or state Compare -ation -tion

   creation

   objection

ion

1. An atom or a group of atoms that has an electric charge. Positive ions, or cations, are formed by the loss of electrons; negative ions, or anions, are formed by the gain of electrons.

ion

1. An atom that has either lost or gained one or more electrons, so that it has an electrical charge. Ions can be either positively or negatively charged.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ion¹

< Greek ión going, neuter present participle of iénai to go; term introduced by Michael Faraday in 1834

Origin of ion²

< Latin -iōn- (stem of -iō ) suffix forming nouns, especially on past participle stems; replacing Middle English -ioun < Anglo-French < Latin -iōn-

Word History and Origins

Origin of ion¹

C19: from Greek, literally: going, from ienai to go

Origin of ion²

from Latin -iōn- , -io

Example Sentences

Even the best lithium ion batteries are bulky and heavy, with much lower energy density than jet fuel.

From BBC

But the TSA said their counterpart has restrictions: cordless hair styling tools that are powered by lithium metal or lithium ion batteries or gas or butane fuel are only allowed in carry-on bags.

From Los Angeles Times

Ion Iliescu, a figure whose name is intertwined with the tumultuous birth of modern Romania, has died at the age of 95.

From BBC

Ion Iliescu built Romania's democracy, Teodor Tita says, but he was "also a ruthless politician who wasn't afraid to incite violent conflicts between competing parts of the society".

From BBC

Former Romanian President Ion Iliescu, who presided over the country's chaotic transition from communism to democracy, has died aged 95.

From BBC