Definition of the word electrolysis

The word "electrolysis" derives from two Greek words - "electron" and "lye." "Elektron" (meaning amber) and "lyein" (meaning to loosen) were the ancient Greek words for amber, a naturally occurring material that generates an electric charge when rubbed, and lye, a substance used to soften fibers, respectively. In 1834, a British chemist named William Nicolai named the process by which a substance, like water or acid, is decomposed by an electric current, electrolysis. Nicolai combined the words "electron" and "lyein" to create the word "electrolysis," which accurately describes the process of splitting molecules into their component ions using an electric current, such as in the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen.