zwitterion

[ tsvit-er-ahy-uhn ]

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

Origin of zwitterion

1
<German Zwitterion (1897), equivalent to Zwitter hybrid, hermaphrodite + Ionion

Other words from zwitterion

  • zwit·ter·i·on·ic [tsvit-er-ahy-on-ik], /ˌtsvɪt ər aɪˈɒn ɪk/, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for zwitterion

zwitterion

/ (ˈtsvɪtərˌaɪən) /


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

Origin of zwitterion

1
C20: from German Zwitter hermaphrodite + ion

Derived forms of zwitterion

  • zwitterionic (ˌtsvɪtəraɪˈɒnɪk), adjective

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