alkalescent

[Eng. alkal (i); -escent, from Lat. crescens = increasing. In Fr. alcales cent; Port. alcalescente.] 1. In proce of acquiring the properties of an alkali, or po e ing a tendency to become alkaline. "All animal diet is alkalescent or anti-acid."Arbuthnot. 2. Bot . Having the properties or effects of an alkali. Example, Rumex acetosa . al-kal-i, al'-cal-ỹ, s . [In Sw., Ger., & Sp. alkali ; Fr., Port., and Ital. alcali . From Arab. alt he, and kali = plants of the genus Salicornia (Gla -wort), which, being burnt, left behind a white residuum now called alkali. The word was then first a botanical, and afterwards a chemical one.] A salt of any kind which effervesces with acids; but now the term is used to denote a strong base, which is capable of neutralising acids, so that the salts formed are either completely neutral, or, if the acid is weak, give alkaline reactions Alkalies turn reddened litmus blue, turmeric paper brown, and most vegetable purples green; they have a soapy taste, act on the skin, and form soaps with fats. The fixed alkalies are the hydrated oxides of the alkaline metals and metals of the alkaline earths. The volatile alkalies are ammonia and the amines of Organic Chemistry; their salts are volatilized at a moderate heat. term alkali in commerce usually means caustic soda or potash, impure, NaHO or KHO; both are used in the arts for the manufacture of gla , soap, and many other purposes. Caustic potash is used in surgery as a cautery. "Salt tartre, alcaly , and salt preparat." The Chaucer: C. T. , 12,738,