primary cell

Other forms: primary cells

Definitions of primary cell

1. noun

   an electric cell that generates an electromotive force by an irreversible conversion of chemical to electrical energy; cannot be recharged
   synonyms: galvanic cell, voltaic cell

   types:

   Leclanche cell

   voltaic cell that produces approximately 1.5 volts

   mercury cell

   a primary cell consisting of a zinc anode and a cathode of mercury oxide and an electrolyte of potassium hydroxide

   standard cell

   a primary cell used as a standard of electromotive force

   wet cell

   a primary voltaic cell having a liquid electrolyte

   Clark cell, Clark standard cell

   a form of voltaic cell once used as a standard for electromotive force

   dry cell

   a small Leclanche cell containing no free liquid; the electrolyte is a paste and the negative zinc pole forms the container of the cell; used in flashlights, portable radios, etc.

   Weston cell, cadmium cell

   a standard voltaic cell (trademark Weston)

   type of:

   cell, electric cell

   a device that delivers an electric current as the result of a chemical reaction