amphipathic

[ am-fuh-path-ik ]

/ ˌæm fəˈpæθ ɪk /

adjective Chemistry.

(of a molecule) having two different affinities, as a polar end that is attracted to water and a nonpolar end that is repelled by it.

Nearby words

amphimixis, amphinome, amphinomus, amphion, amphioxus, amphipathic, amphiphile, amphiploid, amphipod, amphipodous, amphiprostyle

Origin of amphipathic

First recorded in 1970–75; amphi- + -pathic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for amphipathic

amphipathic

amphipath (ˈæmfɪˌpæθ)

/ (ˌæmfɪˈpæθɪk) /

adjective

chem biochem of or relating to a molecule that possesses both hydrophobic and hydrophilic elements, such as are found in detergents, or phospholipids of biological membranes

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012