plural of alkali

(chemistry) One of a class of caustic bases, such as soda, soda ash, caustic 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.

of horses or cattle in the western USA, having the health or strength detrimentally affected by drinking alkali-contaminated water.

plural of alkali

(obsolete) alkaline

(inorganic chemistry) Any of the soft, light, reactive metals of Group 1 of the periodic table; lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium.

plural of alkali metal

plural of alkali basalt

(geology) An alkaline variety of basalt.

(chemistry, dated) The hydrate of potassium (called caustic potash) or sodium (caustic soda).