alkali

(al′kă-lī″)

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pl. alkalis, alkalies [Ult. fr. Arabic al-qalī, ashes of salt wort]
A strong base, esp. the metallic hydroxides. Alkalies combine with acids to form salts, combine with fatty acids to form soap, neutralize acids, and turn litmus paper blue.
SEE: acid; SEE: base; SEE: pH

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