Noun: alkali (alkalis,alkalies) 'al-ku,lI
- Any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water
"alkalis include oxides and hydroxides of metals and ammonia";
- base
- A mixture of soluble salts found in arid soils and some bodies of water; detrimental to agriculture
"The high alkali content in the soil made it difficult to grow crops"
Derived forms: alkalis, alkalies
Type of: chemical compound, compound, salt
Encyclopedia: Alkali, Nevada