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electrophilic

[ih-lek-truh-fil-ik]
adjective Chemistry.
  1. of or relating to electron acceptance in covalent bonding (opposed to nucleophilic).
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Origin of electrophilic

First recorded in 1940–45; electr(on) + -o- + -philic
Related formse·lec·tro·phil·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for electrophilic

electrophilic

adjective
  1. chem having or involving an affinity for negative charge. Electrophilic reagents (electrophiles) are atoms, molecules, and ions that behave as electron acceptorsCompare nucleophilic
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Derived Formselectrophile (ɪˈlɛktrəʊˌfaɪl), noun
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