antilepton

9.9

A particle that has the opposite electric charge of a lepton, like the positron

noun
/ˌæntiˈlɛptɒn/

Specialized

: antileptón

The positron is an example of an antilepton, being the antiparticle of the electron.

Examples

When a lepton collides with its matching antilepton, they can annihilate each other, producing photons.
An antilepton has the opposite charge of a lepton.
In high-energy physics experiments, the creation of an antilepton can be observed alongside its corresponding lepton.
The physicist explained the role of antileptons in particle physics.
In high-energy physics experiments, the creation of an antilepton can be observed alongside its corresponding lepton.
The positron is an example of an antilepton, being the antiparticle of the electron.
When a lepton collides with its matching antilepton, they can annihilate each other, producing photons.

Synonyms

antiparticle

vsantilepton

Specialized

1 9.3

A particle with the same mass but opposite charge that destroys its partner and releases energy when they meet

is the specific kind that pairs only with a particular family of particles

Antonyms

lepton

Specialized

2 9.9

A tiny particle like an electron that does not take part in the strong force

Surface Forms

antilepton singular

antileptons plural

Morphology

antilepton = lepton (transparent) = anti + lepton

The word is transparently formed by adding the productive prefix anti- to lepton, with the meaning 'opposite of a lepton' in standard scientific usage.

Etymology

Antilepton breaks into anti- meaning 'opposite' and lepton from a Greek word meaning 'small'. So an antilepton is the particle that matches a lepton but has the opposite electric charge.