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alkali

1 of 1noun
/ˈælkəˌlaɪ/
Forms:alkalis
1

any water-soluble compound that can turn litmus blue and reacts with an acid to form a salt and water

C2Learn more on Wikipedia
  • Sodium hydroxide is a strong alkali commonly used in soap making.
  • Alkalis like potassium carbonate are used to neutralize acids in chemistry labs.
  • The chemist carefully measured the alkali to avoid a violent reaction.
  • Household ammonia is a mild alkali.
  • Mixing an alkali with vinegar produces a salt and water.
Synonyms:
2

a mixture of soluble salts present in arid soils or certain bodies of water, often harmful to agriculture

  • Crops fail in fields with high alkali content in the soil.
  • The farmer treated the land to reduce the alkali and improve fertility.
  • Alkali deposits can form on lakebeds in dry regions.
  • Irrigation can sometimes exacerbate alkali accumulation in farmland.
  • The engineer tested the water for alkali levels before irrigation.