tetrabasic

American  

[te-truh-bey-sik] / ˌtɛ trəˈbeɪ sɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. (of an acid) having four atoms of hydrogen replaceable by basic atoms or groups.

2. containing four basic atoms or groups having a valence of one.

---

tetrabasic British  

/ ˌtɛtrəbeɪˈsɪsɪtɪ, ˌtɛtrəˈbeɪsɪk /

adjective

1. (of an acid) containing four replaceable hydrogen atoms

---

Other Word Forms

• tetrabasicity noun

Etymology

Origin of tetrabasic

First recorded in 1860–65; tetra- + basic

Example Sentences

The discovery that its phosphoric acid existed, as has been already explained, as a tetrabasic phosphate of lime, has strengthened the opinion that this is the best method of application.

From Manures and the principles of manuring by Aikman, Charles Morton

Similarly, we may have tribasic and tetrabasic acids.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William