hydroxide
UK[haɪˈdrɒksaɪd]US[haɪˈdrɑːksaɪd]
n
a chemical compound consisting of an element or radical combined with the hydroxide ion (oh⁻).
n
the hydroxide ion itself, a negatively charged ion consisting of an oxygen and a hydrogen atom.
Morpheme Breakdown
hydr
oxide
hydr
water
oxide
compound of oxygen
Etymology
the term 'hydroxide' is a modern scientific formation from the 19th century, directly built from international scientific vocabulary components. it combines 'hydr-', referencing the hydrogen atom (historically linked to water, from greek 'hydōr'), with 'oxide', which denotes a compound of oxygen. the logic is transparent: the name describes a compound where a hydrogen atom and an oxygen atom are united in a characteristic group (oh). this nomenclature elegantly captures the core constituents of the ion, with 'hydr-' signaling the hydrogen component inherited from its ancient association with water.
Analysis
Structure: hydr (water) + oxide (compound of oxygen)
hydr is a combining form from greek 'hydōr' meaning 'water'. oxide is from french 'oxide', from 'ox(ygène)' meaning 'oxygen' + '(ac)ide' meaning 'acid'.
Examples
sodium hydroxide is a strong base used in many industrial processes.
the solution turned pink upon the addition of a few drops of aluminum hydroxide.
the formation of calcium hydroxide, or slaked lime, releases a significant amount of heat.