ENGLISH
REFERENCE

aqueous

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈeɪkwiəs// UK //ˈeɪkwɪəs// aque·ous

adj. describing something that is made of water or contains water. Scientists use this word to talk about liquids where water is the main part.

adj. relating to, similar to, or dissolved in water. Often used in chemical contexts to describe a solution where water is the solvent.


SIMPLE

The chemist prepared an aqueous solution for the experiment.

CONTEXTUAL

Plants absorb nutrients from the soil in an aqueous form through their root systems.

COMPLEX

The reaction occurs most efficiently in an aqueous environment, as the polar nature of the water molecules stabilizes the transition state of the reactants.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Formed from Latin aqua + -ous (or from Medieval Latin aqueus), partly the analogy of Middle French aqueux (itself actually from Latin aquosus). Or based on the analogy of Latin terreus from terra.

Usage

Typically used in technical or scientific contexts; often precedes the noun 'solution'.

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