Definitions for: Alkali


[n] any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water; "bases include oxides and hydroxides of metals and ammonia"
[n] a mixture of soluble salts found in arid soils and some bodies of water; detrimental to agriculture



Webster (1913) Definition: Al"ka*li (?; 277), n.; pl. Alkalis or Alkalies. [F.
alcali, ultimately fr. Ar. alqal[=i] ashes of the plant
saltwort, fr. qalay to roast in a pan, fry.]
1. Soda ash; caustic soda, caustic potash, etc.

2. (Chem.) 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.

Fixed alkalies, potash and soda.

Vegetable alkalies. Same as Alkaloids.

Volatile alkali, ammonia, so called in distinction from the
fixed alkalies.


Al"ka*li, n.
Soluble mineral matter, other than common salt, contained in
soils of natural waters. [Western U. S.]

Synonyms: base

See Also: chemical compound, compound, cyanuramide, glyoxaline, imidazole, iminazole, melamine, purine, pyridine, pyrimidine, salt

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