chronaxie

noun

chron·​ax·​ie ˈkrō-ˌnak-sē  ˈkrä- 

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, 61^e année, Année 1909, tome second, p. 283.

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

chronaxie

noun

chron·​ax·​ie

variants also chronaxy

ˈkrōn-ˌak-sē  ˈkrän- 

or chronaxia

krō-ˈnak-sē-ə  krə- 

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