dry cell
Definition
- Noun:
- A small electrochemical cell containing no free liquid: A "dry cell" is a type of battery where the electrolyte is immobilized as a paste or gel, preventing spillage. The negative terminal (zinc) often forms the outer casing of the cell. It is commonly used in portable devices.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Most household flashlights are powered by a standard dry cell.
- The portable radio requires two AA dry cells to operate.
- Unlike wet cells, a dry cell is safer to handle and transport because the electrolyte cannot leak.
Advanced Usage
- Technical Context: In engineering, a "dry cell" is contrasted with a "wet cell" or "primary cell," emphasizing its sealed, maintenance-free design.
- The invention of the dry cell made portable electronics much more practical.
Variants and Related Words
- Dry-cell battery (n): A more common full term for a dry cell.
- This device uses a 9-volt dry-cell battery.
- Zinc-carbon cell (n): A common type of dry cell using a zinc anode and a manganese dioxide cathode.
- Alkaline battery (n): A modern, longer-lasting type of dry cell using an alkaline electrolyte.
Synonyms
- Primary battery: A battery that is not designed to be recharged, which includes most dry cells.
- Non-spillable cell: Emphasizes the key safety feature of a dry cell.
Related Phrases
- To replace the dry cell: A common phrase indicating the action of changing a used battery.
- The remote control stopped working, so I had to replace the dry cell.
Related Idioms
Noun
-
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.
