electrophori

e·lec·troph·o·rus   (ĭ-lěk'trŏf'ər-əs, ē'lěk-)    n.   pl. e·lec·troph·o·ri (-ə-rī', -ə-rē') An apparatus for generating static electricity, consisting of a hard rubber disk that is given a negative charge by friction and a metal plate that is given a net positive charge by induction when in contact with the disk. [New Latin : electro- + Greek -phoros, -phorous.]

Main Entry: elec·troph·o·rus
Pronunciation: i-"lek-'träf-&-r&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural elec·troph·o·ri /-"rI, -"rE/
: a device for producing electric charges consisting of a disk that is negatively electrified by friction and a metalplate that becomes charged by induction when placed on the disk

electrophorus   (ĭ-lěk'trŏf'ər-əs, ē'lěk-)  Pronunciation Key  Plural electrophori An electrostatic generator, constructed like one half of a large capacitor, the other half being any grounded surface, such as a table. A small charge is given to the electrophorus when it is near the grounded surface, effectively charging it like capacitor. As the electrophorous is lifted away from the surface, its voltage relative to the surface increases (as the capacitance decreases).