All Words Glossary

Glossary of Chemistry Terms
beginning with letter A
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AB Tweet Definition of AB Like Definition of AB on Facebook
noun
  1. A blood type of the ABO system that has a both blood antigens and may receive all blood types, and donate to AB.
abbreviation
  1. Alberta (Canadian province).
  2. able-bodied seaman.
  3. also.
  4. antiballistic.
  5. Bachelor of Arts.
abiological Tweet Definition of abiological Like Definition of abiological on Facebook
adjective
  1. Pertaining to inanimate things.
ABS Tweet Definition of ABS Like Definition of ABS on Facebook
initialism
  1. Anti-lock braking system
absorb Tweet Definition of absorb Like Definition of absorb on Facebook
verb
  1. (transitive) To include so that it no longer has separate existence; to swallow up; to engulf; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to use up; to incorporate; to assimilate.
    • Dark oblivion soon absorbs them all. - Cowper
    • The large cities the wealth and fashion. - W. Irving
      1. (transitive) To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe; as a sponge or as the lacteals of the body. - Bacon
      2. (transitive) To learn
      3. (transitive) To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully; as, absorbed in study or in the pursuit of wealth.
      4. (transitive) To consume completely.
      5. (transitive) To endure.
      6. (transitive) (physics) To take up by chemical or physical action.
      Heat, light, and electricity are absorbed in the substances into which they pass.
      1. (transitive) (finance) To assume or pay for as part of a commercial transaction.
absorption Tweet Definition of absorption Like Definition of absorption on Facebook
noun
  1. The act or process of absorbing or sucking in anything, or of being absorbed and made to disappear; as, the absorption of bodies in a whirlpool, the absorption of a smaller tribe into a larger.
  2. (context, chemistry, physics) An imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical action; as, the absorption of light, heat, electricity, etc.
  3. (physiology) In living organisms, the process by which the materials of growth and nutrition are absorbed and conveyed to the tissues and organs.
  4. Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind; as, absorption in some employment.
AC Tweet Definition of AC Like Definition of AC on Facebook
initialism
  1. (electrical) alternating current, Alternating Current
  2. (electrical): often used to indicate an alternating potential rather than a current, as in 110V AC.
  3. Air Conditioning, usually: A/C
  4. as charged, as in: guilty as charged, usually: a/c
  5. Area Code
  6. all clear, as in button on electronic calculator
  7. (internet slang) audible chuckle
  8. (set theory) axiom of choice
accelerant Tweet Definition of accelerant Like Definition of accelerant on Facebook
noun
  1. a substance that accelerates the development of a fire; especially some petroleum product used to spread an act of arson
accelerator Tweet Definition of accelerator Like Definition of accelerator on Facebook
nounOften used adjectivally
  1. One who, or that which, accelerates.
  2. A device for causing acceleration.
  3. A substance which speeds up chemical reactions.
  4. accelerator pedal.
acceptor Tweet Definition of acceptor Like Definition of acceptor on Facebook
noun
  1. One who accepts.
  2. (context, In law and commerce) one who accepts a draft or a bill of exchange; a drawee after he has accepted.
  3. (chemistry) an atom or molecule which can accept an electron to form a chemical bond.
  4. (physics) a chemical acceptor atom forming a positive hole in a semiconductor.
acetal Tweet Definition of acetal Like Definition of acetal on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic chemistry) Any diether of a geminal diol, R2C(OR')2 (where R' does not = H).
acetaldehyde Tweet Definition of acetaldehyde Like Definition of acetaldehyde on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic compound) An organic compound (CH3CHO). Sometimes called ethanal or acetic aldehyde. See aldehyde.
acetamide Tweet Definition of acetamide Like Definition of acetamide on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic compound) The amide of acetic acid, CH3CONH2.
acetate Tweet Definition of acetate Like Definition of acetate on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic chemistry) Any salt or ester of acetic acid.
  2. cellulose acetate
  3. A transparent sheet used for overlays.
  4. A disc of aluminium covered in a wax used to make demonstration copies of a phonograph record.
acetic Tweet Definition of acetic Like Definition of acetic on Facebook
adjective
  1. (organic chemistry) Of a pertaining to vinegar; producing vinegar; producing vinegar; as, fermentation.
  2. (organic chemistry) Pertaining to, containing, or derived from, acetyl, as ether, acetic acid. The latter is the acid to which the sour taste of vinegar is due.
acetic acid Tweet Definition of acetic acid Like Definition of acetic acid on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic compound) A clear colourless organic acid, CH3COOH, formed by the oxidation of ethanol; it is used as a solvent and has very many industrial applications; it is the major acidic component of vinegar.
acetimeter Tweet Definition of acetimeter Like Definition of acetimeter on Facebook
noun
  1. An instrument for estimating the amount of acetic acid in vinegar or in any liquid containing acetic acid.
acetin Tweet Definition of acetin Like Definition of acetin on Facebook
noun
  1. (Chemistry): A combination of acetic acid with glycerin - Brande & C
acetometer Tweet Definition of acetometer Like Definition of acetometer on Facebook
noun
  1. Variant of Acetimeter - Brande & C
acetone Tweet Definition of acetone Like Definition of acetone on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic compound) A colourless, volatile, flammable liquid ketone, (CH3)2CO, used as a solvent.
acetonitrile Tweet Definition of acetonitrile Like Definition of acetonitrile on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic compound) The simplest organic cyanide or nitrile, CH3CN.
acetyl Tweet Definition of acetyl Like Definition of acetyl on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic chemistry) The univalent radical CH3CO- derived from acetic acid.
acetylene Tweet Definition of acetylene Like Definition of acetylene on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic chemistry) Any organic compound having one or more carbon-carbon triple bond; an alkyne.
  2. (organic compound) ethyne, Ethyne; the simplest alkyne, a hydrocarbon of formula HC≡CH. It is a colourless gas, with a peculiar, unpleasant odour, formerly used as an illuminating gas, but now used in welding or metallurgy.
acetylide Tweet Definition of acetylide Like Definition of acetylide on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic chemistry) Any organic compound derived from acetylene or a terminal acetylene by replacing a hydrogen atom with a metal.
ACID Tweet Definition of ACID Like Definition of ACID on Facebook
initialism
  1. analysis console for intrusion databases
  2. (databases) Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability (see Wikipedia:ACID, Wikipedia article on this topic)
acid anhydride Tweet Definition of acid anhydride Like Definition of acid anhydride on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic chemistry) A class of organic compounds having two acyl groups bonded to the same oxygen atom. They react with water to give carboxylic acids.
acidic Tweet Definition of acidic Like Definition of acidic on Facebook
adjective
  1. Being sour or having the strength to neutralize alkalis, or turning a blue litmus paper red.
  2. (mineralogy) Containing a high percentage of silica; -- opposed to basic.
  3. Of or relating to acid; having the character of an acid, as an acidic solution.
acidimetry Tweet Definition of acidimetry Like Definition of acidimetry on Facebook
noun
  1. (chemistry) The measurement of the strength of acids, especially by a chemical process based on the law of chemical combinations, or the fact that, to produce a complete reaction, a certain definite weight of reagent is required.
acidity Tweet Definition of acidity Like Definition of acidity on Facebook
noun (acidities)
  1. The quality or state of being acid
  2. The quality of sour; sourness; tartness; sharpness to the taste, as in the of lemon juice.
  3. Med. Excessive acid quality, as in gastric secretions.
acidulate Tweet Definition of acidulate Like Definition of acidulate on Facebook
verb (acidulat, ing)
  1. (transitive) To make something slightly, or moderately acid; to acidify
  2. (transitive) To make sour in a moderate degree; to sour somewhat
acidulent Tweet Definition of acidulent Like Definition of acidulent on Facebook
adjective
  1. Having an acid quality; sour; acidulous.
Quotations
  • With anxious, face - Thomas Carlyle
acrylamide Tweet Definition of acrylamide Like Definition of acrylamide on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic compound) The amide of acrylic acid, CH2=CH.CONH2; used in the manufacture of polyacrylamides.
acrylic Tweet Definition of acrylic Like Definition of acrylic on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic chemistry) An acrylic resin.
  2. A paint containing an acrylic resin; a painting executed using such a paint.
adjective
  1. (organic chemistry) Derived from acrylic acid or acrylonitrile.
  2. Containing an acrylic resin.
acrylic acid Tweet Definition of acrylic acid Like Definition of acrylic acid on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic compound) A colourless liquid unsaturated organic acid, CH2CHCOOH; used as a monomer in the production of acrylic resins; forms acrylate esters by combination with alcohols.
acrylic fiber Tweet Definition of acrylic fiber Like Definition of acrylic fiber on Facebook
noun
  1. synthetic fibers made from a polymer.
acrylic resin Tweet Definition of acrylic resin Like Definition of acrylic resin on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic chemistry) Any of many thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers or copolymers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, esters of these acids, or acrylonitrile; used in paint and many plastics.
acrylonitrile Tweet Definition of acrylonitrile Like Definition of acrylonitrile on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic compound) A toxic colourless liquid organic compound, CH2=CH.CN, synthesized from propylene and ammonia; used as a monomer in the production of acrylic resins and synthetic rubber.
actinide Tweet Definition of actinide Like Definition of actinide on Facebook
noun
  1. (chemistry) any of the 14 radioactive elements of the periodic table that are positioned under the lanthanides to which they have similar chemistry
actinism Tweet Definition of actinism Like Definition of actinism on Facebook
noun (infl, en, noun)
  1. That property of electromagnetic radiation that leads to the production of photochemical effects
actinium Tweet Definition of actinium Like Definition of actinium on Facebook
noun
  1. a radioactive, metallic chemical element (symbol: Ac) with an atomic number of 89; found in uranium ores
activate Tweet Definition of activate Like Definition of activate on Facebook
verb (activat, ing)
  1. Put into action
  2. Put to work
  3. Turn on
activated carbon Tweet Definition of activated carbon Like Definition of activated carbon on Facebook
noun
  1. (chemistry) A very absorbent form of finely powdered carbon; used in purifying gases, and as an antidote for many poisons.
activity Tweet Definition of activity Like Definition of activity on Facebook
noun (WikiSaurus?-link, activity)
(activit, ies)
  1. The state or quality of being active; nimbleness; agility; vigorous action or operation; energy; active force; as, an increasing variety of human activities.
Pit row was abuzz with activity.
  1. something done as an action or a movement
The activity for the morning was a walk to the store.
  1. something done for pleasure or entertainment, especially one involving movement or an excursion.
Quilting can be a fun activity.
  1. Use (of internet, playstation, bank account etc.)
acyclic Tweet Definition of acyclic Like Definition of acyclic on Facebook
adjective
  1. (chemistry) not cyclic; having an open chain structure
  2. (graph theory) not cyclic
acyl Tweet Definition of acyl Like Definition of acyl on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic chemistry) A class of organic radicals, RCO-, formed by the removal of a hydroxyl group from a carboxylic acid.
acyloin Tweet Definition of acyloin Like Definition of acyloin on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic chemistry) Any Î~+mn~-hydroxy ketone.
adamantane Tweet Definition of adamantane Like Definition of adamantane on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic compound) A polycyclic hydrocarbon, C10H16, having a cagelike structure similar to a portion of the diamond lattice.
addition Tweet Definition of addition Like Definition of addition on Facebook
noun
  1. (uncountable) The act of adding anything.
The addition of five more items to the agenda will make the meeting unbearably long.
  1. Anything that is added.
  2. (arithmetic) (uncountable) The process of adding.
addition reaction Tweet Definition of addition reaction Like Definition of addition reaction on Facebook
noun
  1. (chemistry) a reaction in which radicals are added to both sides of a double bond, double or triple bond
adduct Tweet Definition of adduct Like Definition of adduct on Facebook
noun
  1. (chemistry) A compound produced by the mixing of two or more chemicals.
verb
  1. (transitive, physiology) To draw towards a common center or a middle line. - Thomas Huxley
adipic acid Tweet Definition of adipic acid Like Definition of adipic acid on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic compound) A white crystalline di-carboxylic acid, C4H8(COOH)2; it has many industrial applications, and when condensed with hexamethylene diamine it produces nylon.
adsorbate Tweet Definition of adsorbate Like Definition of adsorbate on Facebook
noun
  1. a substance which has been adsorbed
aerogel Tweet Definition of aerogel Like Definition of aerogel on Facebook
noun
  1. A solid-state substance similar to gel where the liquid component is replaced with gas.
aerosol Tweet Definition of aerosol Like Definition of aerosol on Facebook
noun
  1. A gaseous or airborne cloud of particulate matter, either as a solid, liquid, or gas, which forces another substance out of a spray can.
An was used to force the flea powder out of the can.
  1. (physical chemistry) A colloidal system in which the dispersed phase is composed of either solid or liquid particles and in which the dispersal medium is some gas, usually air.
adjective
  1. In a gaseous or airborne cloud of particulate matter, either solid, liquid, or gas
The paint came as a can of fast-drying spray.
affinity Tweet Definition of affinity Like Definition of affinity on Facebook
noun (affinities)
  1. A family relationship through marriage of a relative, as opposed to consanguinity. (e.g. sister-in-law).
  2. A kinsman or kinswoman of such relationship. Affinal kinsman or kinswoman.
  3. Any romantic relationship.
  4. Any passionate love for something.
  5. (chemistry) An attractive force between atoms, or groups of atoms, that contributes towards their forming bonds
    1. The attraction between an antibody and an antigen
AG Tweet Definition of AG Like Definition of AG on Facebook
initialism
  1. Attorney General
agarose Tweet Definition of agarose Like Definition of agarose on Facebook
noun
  1. a polymeric cross-linked polysaccharide extracted from the seaweed agar; used to make gels that are used in electrophoresis
agent Tweet Definition of agent Like Definition of agent on Facebook
noun
  1. One who exerts power, or has the power to act; an actor.
Heaven made us agents, free to good or ill. --Dryden.
  1. One who acts for, or in the place of, another, by authority from him; one intrusted with the business of another; a substitute; a deputy; a factor.
  2. An active power or cause; that which has the power to produce an effect; as, a physical, chemical, or medicinal agent; as, heat is a powerful agent.
  3. (computing) In the client-server model, the part of the system that performs information preparation and exchange on behalf of a client or server. Especially in the phrase “intelligent agent” it implies some kind of automatic process which can communicate with other agents to perform some collective task on behalf of one or more humans.
alabamine Tweet Definition of alabamine Like Definition of alabamine on Facebook
noun
  1. (context, element, obsolete) Former name for chemical element astatine.
alanyl Tweet Definition of alanyl Like Definition of alanyl on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic compound) The univalent acyl radical, CH3CH(NH2)CO-, derived from the amino acid alanine.
alcohol Tweet Definition of alcohol Like Definition of alcohol on Facebook
noun
  1. (uncountable) An intoxicating beverage made by the fermentation of sugar or sugar-containing material.
  2. (context, organic chemistry, countable) Any of a class of organic compounds (such as ethanol) containing a hydroxyl functional group(-OH).
alcoholate Tweet Definition of alcoholate Like Definition of alcoholate on Facebook
noun
  1. (context, obsolete, chemistry) A crystalline salt containing alcohol in place of water of crystallization.
  2. An alcoholic extract of plant material; a tincture.
  3. (organic chemistry) An alkoxide.
alcoholometer Tweet Definition of alcoholometer Like Definition of alcoholometer on Facebook
noun
  1. A specialized form of hydrometer used to measure the amount of alcohol in a liquid (such as beer)
alcoholysis Tweet Definition of alcoholysis Like Definition of alcoholysis on Facebook
noun
  1. (chemistry) solvolysis using an alcohol
aldehyde Tweet Definition of aldehyde Like Definition of aldehyde on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic chemistry) Any of a large class of reactive organic compounds (R·CHO) having a carbonyl functional group attached to one hydrocarbon radical and a hydrogen atom.
aldose Tweet Definition of aldose Like Definition of aldose on Facebook
noun
  1. (context, organic chemistry, carbohydrate) Any of a class of monosaccharides having an aldehyde or hemiacetal functional group.
alginic acid Tweet Definition of alginic acid Like Definition of alginic acid on Facebook
noun
  1. a gum (a carboxylated polysaccharide), extracted from certain seaweeds, used as a food additive
alicyclic Tweet Definition of alicyclic Like Definition of alicyclic on Facebook
adjective
  1. (organic chemistry) Of a class of organic compounds having both aliphatic (chain) and cyclic (ring) structure.
aliphatic Tweet Definition of aliphatic Like Definition of aliphatic on Facebook
adjective
  1. (organic chemistry) Of a class of organic compounds in which the carbon atoms are arranged in an open chain.
alkali Tweet Definition of alkali Like Definition of alkali on Facebook
noun (alkal, ies, pl2=alkalis)
  1. Soda ash; caustic soda, caustic potash, etc.
  2. (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.
    1. (Western United States) Soluble mineral matter, other than common salt, contained in soils of natural waters.
alkalimeter Tweet Definition of alkalimeter Like Definition of alkalimeter on Facebook
noun
  1. A device used to measure alkalinity
alkaline Tweet Definition of alkaline Like Definition of alkaline on Facebook
adjective
  1. Of, or relating to an alkali.
  2. (chemistry) Having a pH greater than 7
alkalinity Tweet Definition of alkalinity Like Definition of alkalinity on Facebook
noun (alkalinities)
  1. (chemistry) The state of being, or the degree to which a thing is, alkaline.
alkalize Tweet Definition of alkalize Like Definition of alkalize on Facebook
verb (alkaliz, ing)
  1. To cause to become more basic and less acidic.
alkane Tweet Definition of alkane Like Definition of alkane on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic chemistry) Any of saturated hydrocarbons including methane, ethane and compounds with long carbon chain known as paraffins etc., having a chemical formula of the form CnH2n+2.
alkene Tweet Definition of alkene Like Definition of alkene on Facebook
noun
  1. (organic chemistry) An unsaturated, aliphatic hydrocarbon with one or more carbon-carbon double bonds.
alkoxide Tweet Definition of alkoxide Like Definition of alkoxide on Facebook