Alkalised

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. A method whereby a material is modified through the addition of alkaline agents to enhance its chemical characteristics
2. The action of applying alkaline substances to a solution to adjust its properties and pH level effectively
3. The process of treating a substance with alkaline materials to alter its chemical composition and improve its functionality

Etymology: "Alkalised" is the past tense and past participle of "alkalise," the British spelling of "alkalize," meaning to treat something with alkali. The verb is built from "alkali," which comes from Arabic "al-qaly," referring to the ashes of saltwort plants, from which alkaline salts were leached. The "-ise" ending turns the noun into a verb in the usual English way, so the word follows the pattern of many scientific verbs formed from nouns.

Synonyms: alkalized