Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

zwitterion

[tsvit-er-ahy-uh n]
See more synonyms for zwitterion on Thesaurus.com
noun Physical Chemistry.
  1. an ion with both a positive and a negative charge.
Show More

Origin of zwitterion

< German Zwitterion (1897), equivalent to Zwitter hybrid, hermaphrodite + Ion ion
Related formszwit·ter·i·on·ic [tsvit-er-ahy-on-ik] /ˌtsvɪt ər aɪˈɒn ɪk/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for zwitterion

zwitterion

noun
  1. chem an ion that carries both a positive and a negative charge
Show More
Derived Formszwitterionic (ˌtsvɪtəraɪˈɒnɪk), adjective

Word Origin

C20: from German Zwitter hermaphrodite + ion
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
zwitterion in Medicine

zwitterion

(zwĭt′ər-ī′ən, swĭt′-, tsvĭt′-)
n.
  1. dipolar ion
Show More
Related formszwit′ter•i•on′ic (-ī-ŏn′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.