amphoteric

American  

[am-fuh-ter-ik] / ˌæm fəˈtɛr ɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. capable of functioning either as an acid or as a base.

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amphoteric British  

/ ˌæmfəˈtɛrɪk /

adjective

1. Also: amphiprotic.  chem able to function as either a base or an acid

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amphoteric Scientific  

/ ăm′fə-tĕr′ĭk /

1. Capable of reacting chemically as either an acid or a base. Water, ammonia, and the hydroxides of certain metals are amphoteric.

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Etymology

Origin of amphoteric

1840–50; < Greek amphóter ( os ) (comparative of ámphō both; cognate with Latin ambō ) + -ic

Example Sentences

Species capable of either donating or accepting protons are called amphiprotic, or more generally, amphoteric, a term that may be used for acids and bases per definitions other than the Brønsted-Lowry one.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Aluminum is amphoteric because it will react with both acids and bases.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Hydrogen carbonates are amphoteric because they act as both weak acids and weak bases.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

These compounds may be acidic, basic, or amphoteric depending on the properties of the central E atom.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

When the milk is quite fresh it will, owing to its amphoteric condition, change the red litmus paper slightly blue, and the blue litmus paper slightly red.

From The Bacillus of Long Life a manual of the preparation and souring of milk for dietary purposes, together with and historical account of the use of fermente by Douglas, Loudon