alkali

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water
  2. noun a mixture of soluble salts found in arid soils and some bodies of water; detrimental to agriculture

Etymology

From French alcali, from Medieval Latin alcali, ultimately from Arabic اَلْقِلْي (al-qily, “alkali, ashes of the saltwort”), related to قَلَى (qalā, “to roast in a pan, fry”).

In classic literature

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