n. [ LL. alchahest, F. alcahest, a word that has an Arabic appearance, but was probably arbitrarily formed by Paracelsus. ] The fabled “universal solvent” of the alchemists; a menstruum capable of dissolving all bodies. -- Al`ka*hes"tic a. [1913 Webster]

n. [ Alkali + amide. ] (Chem.) One of a series of compounds that may be regarded as ammonia in which a part of the hydrogen has been replaced by basic, and another part by acid, atoms or radicals. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. A tendency to become alkaline; or the state of a substance in which alkaline properties begin to be developed, or to predominant. Ure. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. alcalescent. ] Tending to the properties of an alkali; slightly alkaline. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Alkalis or Alkalies [ F. alcali, ultimately fr. Ar. alqalī ashes of the plant saltwort, fr. qalay to roast in a pan, fry. ] 1. Soda ash; caustic soda, caustic potash, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Chem.) One of a class of caustic bases, such as soda, potash, ammonia, and lithia, whose distinguishing peculiarities are solubility in alcohol and water, uniting with oils and fats to form soap, neutralizing and forming salts with acids, turning to brown several vegetable yellows, and changing reddened litmus to blue. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Soluble mineral matter, other than common salt, contained in soils of natural waters. [ Western U. S. ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Fixed alkalies, potash and soda. --
Vegetable alkalies. Same as Alkaloids. --
Volatile alkali, ammonia, so called in distinction from the fixed alkalies. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. having the properties of an alkali. Opposite of acidic. when used of aqueous solutions, it signifies that the solution has a pH greater than 7.
Syn. -- alkaline (vs. acidic), basic [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. [ Cf. F. alcalifiable. ] Capable of being alkalified, or converted into an alkali. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A sterile plain, containing an excess of alkali, at the bottom of an undrained basin in an arid region; a playa. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Alkalified p. pr. & vb. n. Alkalifying. ] [ Alkali + -fly: cf. F. alcalifier. ] To convert into an alkali; to give alkaline properties to. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To become changed into an alkali. [ 1913 Webster ]

. Any one of the univalent metals of group I of the periodic table of the elements, including lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium. The hydroxides of these metals are soluble in water and form strongly basic solutions. [ PJC. ]

n. [ Alkali + -meter. cf. F. alcalimètre. ] An instrument to ascertain the strength of alkalies, or the quantity of alkali in a mixture. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. Of or pertaining to alkalimetry. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. alcalimètrie. ] (Chem.) The art or process of ascertaining the strength of alkalies, or the quantity present in alkaline mixtures. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. alcalin. ] Of or pertaining to an alkali or to alkalies; having the properties of an alkali. [ 1913 Webster ]

Alkaline earths, certain substances, as lime, baryta, strontia, and magnesia, possessing some of the qualities of alkalies. --
Alkaline metals, potassium, sodium, cæsium, lithium, rubidium. --
Alkaline reaction, a reaction indicating alkalinity, as by the action on limits, turmeric, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. thriving in a relatively alkaline environment; (especially of plants requiring a pH above 7) acid-loving
Syn. -- alkali-loving [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The quality which constitutes an alkali; alkaline property. Thomson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Alkaline. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

. Any one of various soils found in arid and semiarid regions, containing an unusual amount of soluble mineral salts which effloresce in the form of a powder or crust (usually white) in dry weather following rains or irrigation. The basis of these salts is mainly soda with a smaller amount of potash, and usually a little lime and magnesia. Two main classes of alkali are commonly distinguished: black alkali, which may be any alkaline carbonate, but which practically consists of sodium carbonate (sal soda), which is highly corrosive and destructive to vegetation; and white alkali, characterized by the presence of sodium sulphate (Glauber's salt), which is less injurious to vegetation. Black alkali is so called because water containing it dissolves humus, forming a dark-colored solution which, when it collects in puddles and evaporates, produces characteristic black spots. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. Waste material from the manufacture of alkali; specif., soda waste. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. Alkaline. [ Obs. ] Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To alkalizate. [ R. ] Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. alcalisation. ] The act of rendering alkaline by impregnating with an alkali; a conferring of alkaline qualities. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Alkalized p. pr. & vb. n. Alkalizing ] [ Cf. F. alcaliser. ] To render alkaline; to communicate the properties of an alkali to. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) An organic base, especially one of a class of nitrogen-containing substances occurring ready formed in the tissues of plants and the bodies of animals. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Alkaloids all contain nitrogen, carbon, and hydrogen, and many of them also contain oxygen. They include many of the active principles in plants; thus, morphine and narcotine are alkaloids found in opium. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Alkali + -oid: cf. F. alcaloïde. ] 1. Pertaining to, resembling, or containing, alkali. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. of or pertaining to alkaloids. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. abnormally high alkalinity in the blood and other body fluids. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. 1. of or pertaining to alkalosis. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. (Chem.) a non-aromatic saturated acyclic hydrocarbon with the general formula CnH(2n+2). A member of the alkane series. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. (Chem.) a series of acyclic non-aromatic saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH(2n+2). They include methane, ethane, propane, butane, and the paraffins.
Syn. -- methane series, alkane series, paraffin [ WordNet 1.5 PC ]

n. [ Dim. of Sp. alcana, alheña, in which al is the Ar. article. See Henna, and cf. Orchanet. ] 1. (Chem.) A dyeing matter extracted from the roots of Alkanna tinctoria, which gives a fine deep red color. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) (a) A boraginaceous herb (Alkanna tinctoria) yielding the dye; orchanet. (b) The similar plant Anchusa officinalis; bugloss; also, the American puccoon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Alkarsin + oxygen. ] (Chem.) Same as Cacodylic acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Alkali + arsenic + -in. ] (Chem.) A spontaneously inflammable liquid, having a repulsive odor, and consisting of cacodyl and its oxidation products; -- called also Cadel's fuming liquid. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a commerical antacid; -- the tablets dissolve in water to give an effervescent solution. [ trademark ] WordNet 1.5 ]

See Alcazar. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. alkékenge, Sp. alquequenje, ultimately fr. Ar. al-kākanj a kind of resin from Herat. ] (Bot.) An herbaceous plant of the nightshade family (Physalis alkekengi) and its fruit, which is a well flavored berry, the size of a cherry, loosely inclosed in a enlarged leafy calyx; -- also called winter cherry, ground cherry, and strawberry tomato. D. C. Eaton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Ar. al-qirmiz kermes. See Kermes. ] (Old Pharmacy) A compound cordial, in the form of a confection, deriving its name from the kermes insect, its principal ingredient. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The Muslim Scriptures. Same as Alcoran and Koran. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Same as Alcoranic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Alcoranist. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a compound derived from ammonia by replacing hydrogen atoms by univalent hydrocarbon radicals.
Syn. -- amine, alkyl amine [ WordNet 1.5 ]

/mhw>, n. [ Pref. anti- + alkali. ] Anything that neutralizes, or that counteracts an alkaline tendency in the system. Hooper. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of power to counteract alkalies. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a framework on small wheels or casters designed to support small children while they are learning to walk, and usually having a fabric support that permits the child to sit. Called also walker and go-cart.
Syn. -- walker, go-cart [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. [ AS. balca beam, ridge; akin to Icel. bālkr partition, bjālki beam, OS. balko, G. balken; cf. Gael. balc ridge of earth between two furrows. Cf. Balcony, Balk, v. t., 3d Bulk. ] 1. A ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bad plowmen made balks of such ground. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a house. The loft above was called “the balks.” [ 1913 Webster ]

Tubs hanging in the balks. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mil.) One of the beams connecting the successive supports of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A hindrance or disappointment; a check. [ 1913 Webster ]

A balk to the confidence of the bold undertaker. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Baseball) A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball. It is illegal and is penalized by allowing the runners on base to advance one base. [ 1913 Webster ]

Balk line (Billiards), a line across a billiard table near one end, marking a limit within which the cue balls are placed in beginning a game; also, a line around the table, parallel to the sides, used in playing a particular game, called the balk line game. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Balked p. pr. & vb. n. Balking. ] [ From Balk a beam; orig. to put a balk or beam in one's way, in order to stop or hinder. Cf., for sense 2, AS. on balcan legan to lay in heaps. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To leave or make balks in. [ Obs. ] Gower. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Ten thousand bold Scots, two and twenty knights,
Balk'd in their own blood did Sir Walter see. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To omit, miss, or overlook by chance. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To miss intentionally; to avoid; to shun; to refuse; to let go by; to shirk. [ Obs. or Obsolescent ] [ 1913 Webster ]

By reason of the contagion then in London, we balked the inns. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sick he is, and keeps his bed, and balks his meat. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor doth he any creature balk,
But lays on all he meeteth. Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To disappoint; to frustrate; to foil; to baffle; to thwart; as, to balk expectation. [ 1913 Webster ]

They shall not balk my entrance. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

In strifeful terms with him to balk. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To stop abruptly and stand still obstinately; to jib; to stop short; to swerve; as, the horse balks. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This has been regarded as an Americanism, but it occurs in Spenser's “Faërie Queene, ” Book IV., 10, xxv. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ne ever ought but of their true loves talkt,
Ne ever for rebuke or blame of any balkt. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Baseball) to commit a balk{ 6 }; -- of a pitcher. [ PJC ]

v. i. [ Prob. from D. balken to bray, bawl. ] To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. 1. to divide a territory into small, hostile states. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

prop. n. pl. 1. The countries occupying the Balkan Peninsula.
Syn. -- Balkan countries, Balkan nations, Balkan states. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. The Balkan mountains. [ PJC ]