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Definition of 'alkali'

Word Frequency

alkali

(ælkəlaɪ )
Word forms: plural alkalis
variable noun
An alkali is a substance with a pH value of more than 7. Alkalis form chemical salts when they are combined with acids.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

alkali in British

(ˈælkəˌlaɪ )
noun plural -lis or -lies
1. chemistry
a soluble base or a solution of a base
2. 
a soluble mineral salt that occurs in arid soils and some natural waters
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin of 'alkali'
C14: from Medieval Latin, from Arabic al-qili the ashes (of the plant saltwort)
Word Frequency

alkali in American

(ˈælkəˌlaɪ ; alˈkəlīˌ)
nounWord forms: plural ˈalkaˌlies or ˈalkaˌlis
1. 
any base or hydroxide, as soda, potash, etc. that is soluble in water and gives a high concentration of hydroxyl ions in solution; specif., any of the hydroxides and carbonates of the alkali metals
2. 
any soluble substance, as a mineral salt or mixture of salts, that can neutralize acids, has a pH greater than 7.0, and turns litmus blue: strong alkalies are caustic
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin of 'alkali'
ME alkaly < Ar al-qily, for al-qili, the ashes (of saltwort) < qalai, to roast in a pan

Example sentences containing 'alkali'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
They were approaching an area of alkali pans, where concealment was much more difficult. C.J. Cherryh HAMMERFALL (2001)

Word Lists

Chemistry terms

Trends of 'alkali'

Used Occasionally. alkali is one of the 30000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Nearby words of 'alkali'

  • alkalescence
  • alkalescency
  • alkalescent
  • alkali
  • alkali flat
  • alkali metal
  • alkali soil

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'A'

Related Terms of 'alkali'

  • alkali flat
  • alkali soil
  • alkali metal
  • white alkali

Source

Definition of alkali from the Collins English Dictionary

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Scrabble score for 'alkali': 10
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