Ionic

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /aɪˈɒnɪk/

Definitions

1. Relating to the state of being electrically charged or the formation of compounds through the transfer of electrons
2. Pertaining to ions or the behavior and interactions of ions in a solution, especially in chemistry
3. Connected to the style of a specific order in classical architecture characterized by spiral volutes on the capital

Etymology: Michael Faraday coined the word "ion" in 1834, and the electrochemical sense of "ionic" grew directly out of it. Faraday needed a name for the particles that travelled toward one electrode or the other during electrolysis, and he took the Greek present participle of "eimi" ("to go") and gave it the neuter form "ion," meaning "going." The particles were named for their movement, not for any property of their own. "Ionic" is simply "ion" plus the English suffix "-ic," which descends from Latin "-icus" by way of Old French "-ique" and Middle English "-ik." The suffix turns a noun into an adjective meaning "relating to" or "having the nature of," so "ionic" describes whatever belongs to or behaves like an ion. Chemists use it for bonds such as "ionic bonds," formed when one atom hands electrons to another and the resulting charged pieces attract each other.

Synonyms: charged, electrically charged