Leclanché cell

8.5

An early single-use battery that makes about 1.5 volts

noun
/lɛkˈlɑːnʃeɪ sɛl/

Archaic

: celda Leclanché

The original flashlight used a Leclanché cell as its power source.

Examples

Many early telegraphs were powered by the Leclanché cell, appreciated for its reliability.
Although largely replaced today, the Leclanché cell played a key role in battery development.
The Leclanché cell was widely used in early telegraphs.
Many Leclanché cells were replaced by more efficient batteries.
The original flashlight used a Leclanché cell as its power source.
Many early telegraphs were powered by the Leclanché cell, appreciated for its reliability.
Although largely replaced today, the Leclanché cell played a key role in battery development.

Synonyms

voltaic cell

vsLeclanché cell

Specialized

1 6.7

A device that makes electricity from a reaction between two metals and cannot be charged again

is a specific early primary type giving about 1.5 volts

galvanic cell

vsLeclanché cell

Specialized

7.0

A device that makes electricity when chemicals react and cannot be recharged

is a specific historical primary example yielding about 1.5 volts

Surface Forms

Leclanché cell singular

Leclanché cells plural

Morphology

Leclanché + cell

The first constituent 'Leclanché' is an eponym/proper name with no lexical meaning that would signal the technical properties, while 'cell' clearly denotes a battery unit, so a learner who knows 'cell' can infer this is a kind of battery. However the specific sense (a primary voltaic cell producing ~1.5 V and its historical usage) cannot be derived from the name alone, making the expression only partially predictable.

Etymology

Leclanché cell is named after Georges Leclanché, who made a simple, reliable battery in the 1860s. People soon called his invention the 'Leclanché cell', so today the name refers to that kind of early cell used to power telegraphs and flashlights.