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, 61e 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 ˈkrän- krō-ˈnak-sē-ə krə-
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