zwitterion

noun

zwit·ter·ion ˈtsvi-tər-ˌī-ˌän

also

: a dipolar ion

zwitterionic

ˌzwi-tər-ī-ˈä-nik

ˌswi-

ˌtsvi-

adjective

Etymology

German, from Zwitter hybrid (from Old High German zwitaran, from zwi-) + Ion ion — more at twi-

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of zwitterion was in 1906

See more words from the same year

Style

“Zwitterion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zwitterion. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation

zwitterion

noun

zwit·ter·ion

ˈtsvit-ər-ˌī-ˌän also ˈzwit-

: a dipolar ion

zwitterionic

ˌtsvit-ər-ī-ˈän-ik

adjective

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