/i lek"tron/ , n.
1. Also called negatron . Physics, Chem. an elementary particle that is a fundamental constituent of matter, having a negative charge of 1.602 × 10 -19 coulombs, a mass of 9.108 × 10 -31 kilograms, and spin of 1 / 2 , and existing independently or as the component outside the nucleus of an atom.
2. Elect. a unit of charge equal to the charge on one electron.
[ term first suggested in 1891 by Irish physicist G. J. Stoney (1826-1911); ELECTR(IC) + -on (from the names of charged particles, as ION, CATION, ANION) with perh. accidental allusion to Gk élektron amber (see ELECTRIC) ]