alkali
Pronunciation: /ˈalkəlʌɪ/
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Definition of alkali
noun ( plural alkalis)
- a compound with particular chemical properties including turning litmus blue and neutralizing or effervescing with acids; typically, a caustic or corrosive substance of this kind such as lime or soda: flint is not subject to chemical weathering except by strong alkalis
Alkalis release hydroxide ions (OH−) when dissolved in water. Any solution with a pH of more than 7 is alkaline
Origin:
late Middle English (denoting a saline substance derived from the ashes of various plants, including glasswort): from medieval Latin, from Arabic al-qalī 'calcined ashes (of the glasswort etc.)', from qalā 'fry, roast'
Spelling rule
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