zwitterion

[ tsvit-er-ahy-uhn ]

noun

, Physical Chemistry.

1. an ion with both a positive and a negative charge.

zwitterion

/ ˌtsvɪtəraɪˈɒnɪk; ˈtsvɪtərˌaɪən /

noun

1. chem an ion that carries both a positive and a negative charge

Derived Forms

• zwitterionic, adjective

Other Words From

• zwit·ter·i·on·ic [tsvit-er-ahy-, on, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of zwitterion¹

< German Zwitterion (1897), equivalent to Zwitter hybrid, hermaphrodite + Ion ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of zwitterion¹

C20: from German Zwitter hermaphrodite + ion