electrophorus

e·lec·troph·o·rus  (-lktrfr-s, lk-)

n. pl. e·lec·troph·o·ri (--r, --r)

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.

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[New Latin : electro- + Greek -phoros, -phorous.]

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electrophorus  (-lktrfr-s, lk-)

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).

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	electrophorus - a simple electrostatic generator that generates repeated charges of static electricity electrostatic generator, electrostatic machine, Van de Graaff generator, Wimshurst machine - electrical device that produces a high voltage by building up a charge of static electricity
	2.	Electrophorus - type genus of the family Electrophoridae; electric eels genus Electrophorus fish genus - any of various genus of fish Electrophoridae, family Electrophoridae - small family comprising the electric eels electric eel, Electrophorus electric - eel-shaped freshwater fish of South America having electric organs in its body