tribasic

American  

[trahy-bey-sik] / traɪˈbeɪ sɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.

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

2. containing three atoms or groups, each having a valence of one, as tribasic sodium phosphate, Na 3 PO 4 .

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tribasic British  

/ traɪˈbeɪsɪk /

adjective

1. (of an acid) containing three replaceable hydrogen atoms in the molecule

2. (of a molecule) containing three monovalent basic atoms or groups in the molecule

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Other Word Forms

• tribasicity noun

Etymology

Origin of tribasic

First recorded in 1830–40; tri- + basic

Example Sentences

It is tribasic, forming three distinct classes of metallic salts.

From The Story of the Soil; from the Basis of Absolute Science and Real Life, by Hopkins, Cyril G. (Cyril George)

The solution of arsenious oxide in water reacts acid towards litmus and contains tribasic arsenious acid, although on evaporation of the solution the trioxide is obtained and not the free acid.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 6 "Armour Plates" to "Arundel, Earls of" by Various

These give the tribasic phosphate of lime, which results from the application of sulphuric acid to the nodules, a tendency to "go back" to the insoluble condition.

From The Galaxy, Volume 23, No. 2, February, 1877 by Various

In the ordinary so-called raw phosphates, such as bone-meal, bone-ash, coprolites, &c., the lime and phosphoric acid are combined in the form of what is known, in chemical phraseology, as tribasic phosphate of lime.

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

The fat cells are gradually broken, and the liquid fat unites to a small extent with the chloride of sodium and the tribasic phosphate of sodium contained in the serum of the blood.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 3 "Convention" to "Copyright" by Various