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alkali

[al-kuh-lahy] / ˈæl kəˌlaɪ /
NOUN
soluble base; opposite of an acid
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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They’re the pupae of alkali flies, a traditional food source of the Native Kootzaduka’a people.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 8, 2025

Another Los Angeles Times report on a roundup of immigrants begins by noting, “Human misery was compounded here today by a blistering desert sun and swirls of alkali dust.”

From Salon Sep. 21, 2024

Because a vanadium peroxide molecule is negatively charged, it needed alkali cations for charge balance, Nyman said, and the researchers used potassium, rubidium and cesium alkali cations for this study.

From Science Daily Feb. 12, 2024

A man suspected of an alkali attack in south London should not have been granted asylum, according to Home Office guidelines.

From BBC Feb. 2, 2024

He drifted past saguaros and alkali flats, camped beneath escarpments of naked Precambrian stone.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Pots, pans, vats, machines exposed to corrosives will be protected by a skin of aluminum, metal highly resistant to mos.t acids and alkalies.

From Time Magazine Archive

The best antidotes for acids are soda, lime-water, soap-suds, and chalk; for alkalies, weak acids, such as lemons, oranges, vinegar, or cider.

From How to Care for the Insane A Manual for Nurses by William D. Granger

Second, they must not be easily affected by acids or alkalies; hence, it has been difficult to produce colors that are reasonably permanent and at the same time harmless.

From Frye's Practical Candy Maker Comprising Practical Receipts for the Manufacture of Fine "Hand-Made" Candies by George V. Frye

Humic, hū′mik, adj. denoting an acid formed by the action of alkalies on humus or mould.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

At one time, he longs for acids; at another, alkalies; now, he wants stimulants; then, refrigerants, &c.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by George Dadd

In addition, the scientists substituted ammonium and tetramethyl ammonium, the former of which is mildly acidic, for the alkalis.

From Science Daily Feb. 12, 2024

Fermenting encompasses a range of processes through which microorganisms — yeasts, molds, bacteria — break down compounds in food to create alcohols, acids or alkalis, which in turn prevent the growth of harmful pathogens.

From Salon Dec. 6, 2023

Coal provided the power; the nascent chemical industry supplied the acids and alkalis essential to these enterprises.

From Nature Aug. 30, 2020

Alkalis were extracted from ashes, and soaps were prepared by combining these alkalis with fats.

From Textbooks Feb. 14, 2019

It is the only method in practical operation which does not require the use of acids, alkalis or other chemicals, every trace of which should be removed from the finished product by expensive purifying processes.

From Paint Technology and Tests by Henry A. Gardner




Vocabulary lists containing alkali


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