amphoteric

2 definitions found

amphoteric - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  amphoteric \am`pho*ter"ic\ ([a^]m`f[-o]*t[e^]r"[i^]k), a. [Gr.
     'amfo`teros both.]
     1. Partly one and partly the other
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Especially: (Chem.) Having both acidic and basic groups
        within the same molecule, and consequently neither acid
        nor alkaline; neutral. [R.] --Smart.
        [PJC] amphotericin

amphoteric - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  amphoteric
      adj 1: having characteristics of both an acid and a base and
             capable of reacting as either [syn: amphoteric,
             amphiprotic] [ant: acidic, alkalic, alkaline]