Alkali
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈæl.kəl.aɪ/
- US enPR: ălˈkəlī, IPA: /ˈæl.kə.laɪ/
Origin
French alcali, ultimately from Arabic القلي (al-qilÄ«, "ashes of the saltwort"), from قلى (qalÄ, "to roast in a pan, fry").
Full definition of alkali
Noun
- (chemistry) One of a class of caustic bases, such as soda, potash, ammonia, and lithia, whose distinguishing peculiarities are solubility in alcohol and water, uniting with oils and fats to form soap, neutralizing and forming salts with acids, turning to brown several vegetable yellows, and changing reddened litmus to blue.
- Soda ash; caustic soda, caustic potash, etc.
- (Western United States) Soluble mineral matter, other than common salt, contained in soils of natural waters.
Synonyms
- (chemistry) base
Antonyms
- (chemistry) acid