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Glite Dictionary
alcalescent

alcalescent

9.9
A liquid or soil that is slightly alkaline with a pH above neutral
  • adjective
  • Specialized
translation icon : alcalescente
  • The soil in this region is alcalescent, supporting unique types of vegetation.

Examples

  • After the addition of lime, the water became slightly alcalescent, making it more suitable for the fish.

  • An alcalescent solution may be preferred in certain chemical processes.

  • After several reactions, the liquid became slightly alcalescent.

  • This solution is alcalescent.

  • The sample is alcalescent!

  • The soil in this region is alcalescent, which helps certain plants thrive.

  • An alcalescent solution can enhance the effectiveness of some fertilizers.

Synonyms

alkalescent
vsalcalescent
  • Specialized
9.9

Slightly alkaline or likely to become alkaline

is the same in meaning but spelled with c instead of k

Antonyms

acidic
23 3.9

Having a low pH like lemon juice or vinegar

How Alkaline

alkaline
3 5.0
alcalescent
  • Specialized
9.9
neutral
  • Specialized
4 5.2
acidic
23 3.9

Surface Forms

alcalescent positive

Morphology

alcalescent = alkali (semi-transparent) = alkali + escent

The word is a learned formation based on 'alkali' plus the suffix '-escent' meaning 'becoming,' but the specialized spelling and technical sense make it only partly transparent.

Etymology

Alcalescent comes from the common word alkali, which itself comes from old Arabic al-qaly meaning 'plant ashes', and the ending -escent meaning 'becoming'. So alcalescent literally says 'becoming' a little 'alkaline', which is why we use it for liquids or soils that are slightly above neutral in pH.