dry cell

n.
A voltage-generating cell having an electrolyte in the form of moist paste.

[So called because its contents cannot spill.]

A primary or secondary cell in which the electrolytes are restrained from flowing in some way. Many torch, radio, and calculator batteries are Leclanché cells in which the electrolyte is an ammonium chloride paste and the container is the negative zinc electrode (with an outer plastic wrapping). Various modifications of the Leclanché cell are used in dry cells. In the zinc chloride cell, the electrolyte is a paste of zinc chloride rather than ammonium chloride. The electrical characteristics are similar to those of the Leclanché cell but the cell works better at low temperatures and has more efficient depolarization characteristics. A number of alkaline secondary cells can be designed for use as dry cells. In these, the electrolyte is a liquid (sodium or potassium hydroxide) held in a porous material or in a gel. Alkaline dry cells typically have zinc-manganese dioxide, silver oxide-zinc, nickel-cadmium, or nickel-iron electrode systems (see nickel-iron accumulator). For specialized purposes, dry cells and batteries have been produced with solid electrolytes. These may contain a solid crystalline salt, such as silver iodide, an ion-exchange membrane, or an organic wax with a small amount of dissolved ionic material. Such cells deliver low currents. They are used in miniature cells for use in electronic equipment.

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DC voltage generating chemical cell using a non liquid (paste) electrolyte.

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The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a small Leclanche cell containing no free liquid; the electrolyte is a paste and the negative zinc pole forms the container of the cell; used in flashlights, portable radios, etc.

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