alkali
n.a substance that can neutralize an acid. It is usually a base that can react with acids to form salt and water.
n.a substance that can neutralize an acid, typically a base that reacts with acids to form a salt and water. In a broader sense, it refers to any base or a solution containing one.
“Lemon juice is an acid, while baking soda is an alkali.”
“The soil was too acidic for the crops, so the farmer added lime, a natural alkali, to balance the pH.”
“In the laboratory, the technician carefully measured the alkali to ensure the neutralization reaction occurred without producing excessive heat or gas.”
From French alcali, from Medieval Latin alcali, ultimately from Arabic اَلْقِلْي (al-qily, “alkali, ashes of the saltwort”), related to قَلَى (qalā, “to roast in a pan, fry”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.