"A slow discharging of a battery without being connected to an external load. This is caused partly by impurities and side reactions (reactions other than the cell reaction) and partly by the imperfect separation of the active chemicals in the battery causing a slow ""direct"" reaction between them. The rate of the self discharge determines the shelf life of a non-rechargeable battery. "
SELF DISCHARGE
Meaning of SELF DISCHARGE in English
Electrochemistry English dictionary. Английский словарь электрохимии. 2012