wet cell
1
6.8
- noun
- /wɛt sɛl/
- Specialized
:
celda húmeda
- Many cars use a wet cell system to power their electrical components.
- wet cell battery
Examples
-
This is because the amp-hour rating of a wet cell battery is consistently higher than that of a gel cell battery of the same size (16, 17, 18).
Academic text (1995) -
Wet cell batteries provide a longer range of operation than gel cell batteries in every instance.
Academic text (1995) -
A wet cell battery must be handled carefully to avoid spilling the liquid electrolyte.
-
When testing a wet cell, ensure that the electrolyte level is adequate for optimal performance.
Synonyms
148
3.9
A small device inside a battery that makes electricity
A device that makes electricity from a reaction between two metals and cannot be charged again
A device that makes electricity when chemicals react and cannot be recharged
A small device that makes electricity when its chemicals change
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is a literal composition: 'wet' (covered with liquid) modifies 'cell' (an electrochemical unit), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a cell whose electrolyte is liquid. Although it's a technical term, the modifier–noun structure is fully compositional and cross-linguistically transparent, making the meaning predictable to a B1 learner.
Etymology
The name wet cell comes from early batteries that held a liquid inside. The word wet points to that 'liquid' and the word cell means a single battery unit, so today wet cell means a battery that contains liquid and must be handled carefully to avoid spills.