alkali
UK[ˈælkəlaɪ]US[ˈælkəˌlaɪ]
n
a chemical substance that reacts with acids to form a salt and has a ph greater than 7.
n
a soluble base obtained from the ashes of plants, historically used in making soap and glass.
Etymology
the word 'alkali' entered english in the late 14th century from medieval latin, which borrowed it from the arabic 'al-qalīy' (or 'al-qily'), meaning 'the ashes of the saltwort plant'. the arabic term itself derives from the verb 'qalā', 'to fry' or 'to roast', referring to the process of obtaining the substance by burning plants. this etymological journey, from a specific process of roasting ashes to a broad chemical category, exemplifies how a practical, material origin evolved into an abstract scientific classification central to chemistry.
Analysis
the word is a loanword adopted as a single unit from arabic. it does not contain separable morphemes within modern english spelling.
Examples
the soil in this region has a high alkali content, making it difficult for some plants to grow.
sodium hydroxide is a strong alkali used in many industrial processes.
early soap makers relied on potash, a natural alkali, to saponify fats.