Alkalescent
/ˌæl.kəˈlɛs.ənt/noun
Becoming alkaline or tending to become alkaline.
Did you know?The root behind alkali refers to ashes of saltwort plants, which were historically burned to obtain alkaline material for soapmaking and glassmaking.
Etymological Timeline
Early Medieval Arabic
Arabic
al-qalī
“The calcined ashes of saltwort and related plants; the definite article al- means “the.””
Medieval Latin
Latin
alcali
“An alkaline substance derived from Arabic al-qalī.”
17th Century
English
alkali
“A substance capable of neutralizing acids, especially a soluble base.”
19th Century
English
alkalescent
“Becoming alkaline; formed from alkali with the suffix -escent, meaning “becoming” or “beginning to be.””
Modern English
English
alkalescent
“Used chiefly in chemistry and medicine for something that is becoming or slightly alkaline.”