electronegative

[ ih-lek-troh-neg-uh-tiv ]

adjectivePhysical Chemistry.
  1. containing negative electricity; tending to migrate to the positive pole in electrolysis.

  2. assuming negative potential when in contact with a dissimilar substance.

Origin of electronegative

1
First recorded in 1800–10; electro- + negative

Other words from electronegative

  • e·lec·tro·neg·a·tiv·i·ty, noun

Words Nearby electronegative

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British Dictionary definitions for electronegative

electronegative

/ (ɪˌlɛktrəʊˈnɛɡətɪv) /


adjective
  1. having a negative electric charge

  2. (of an atom, group, molecule, etc) tending to gain or attract electrons and form negative ions or polarized bonds: Compare electropositive

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

Scientific definitions for electronegative

electronegative

[ ĭ-lĕk′trō-nĕgə-tĭv ]


  1. Tending to attract electrons and to form a negative ion. Nonmetals are generally electronegative.

  2. Having a negative electric charge.

  1. Capable of acting as a negative electrode.

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