chronaxie

noun

chron·​ax·​ie ˈkrō-ˌnak-sē How to pronounce chronaxie (audio) ˈkrä- How to pronounce chronaxie (audio)
variants or less commonly chronaxy
: the minimum time required for excitation of a structure (such as a neuron) by a constant electric current of twice the threshold voltage

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from Greek chrónos "time" + axía "worth, value," noun derivative (perhaps via *axi-ia) of áxios "of like value, worth, worthy" — more at chrono-, axiom

Note: The term chronaxie was introduced by the French neuroscientist Louis Lapicque (1866-1952) in "Définition expérimentale de l'excitabilité," Comptes rendus hebdomedaires des séances et mémoires de la Société de Biologie, 61e année, Année 1909, tome second, p. 283.

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chronaxie was in 1922

Dictionary Entries Near chronaxie

chronanagram

chronaxie

chronic

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Chronaxie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronaxie. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

chronaxie

noun
chron·​ax·​ie
variants also chronaxy
ˈkrōn-ˌak-sē How to pronounce chronaxie (audio) ˈkrän- How to pronounce chronaxie (audio)
or chronaxia
krō-ˈnak-sē-ə How to pronounce chronaxie (audio) krə- How to pronounce chronaxie (audio)
krän-ˈak-
plural chronaxies also chronaxias
: the minimum time required for excitation of a structure (as a nerve cell) by a constant electric current of twice the threshold voltage compare rheobase
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
sweet smart pug puppy dog sitting in front of blackboard with chalk question marks
Commonly Confused Words Quiz Vol. 3 Do you have a (flare/flair) for choosing the righ...