Alkalies are bases that dissolve in water to form hydroxides, typically referencing alkali metals and their oxides or hydroxides. In chemistry, the term is often used to describe basic, caustic substances capable of neutralizing acids. The plural form emphasizes multiple alkaline substances rather than a single chemical. The word is primarily encountered in scientific writing and education.
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"The teacher explained how alkalies neutralize acids in the titration."
"Alkalies like potassium hydroxide are highly caustic and must be handled with care."
"Industrial processes often require specific alkalies to adjust pH."
"Chemists distinguish between strong and weak alkalies based on dissociation in water."
Alkalies originates from the medieval Latin alca, related to alkali, and from the Arabic al-qaliy, meaning plant ashes or potash, which were mixtures of soluble alkaline salts. The core sense developed in early modern chemistry: substances that form alkaline solutions in water. The term alkali traces to the chemical property of reacting with acids to form salts and water, particularly hydroxides in aqueous media. The plural alkalies appears as chemists distinguished multiple alkaline substances (potash, soda ash, lime, etc.), each with distinct reactivity but sharing the common base-character. The modern sense expanded to include any basic substance that yields hydroxide ions in water. First known use in English literature appears in the 17th century, aligned with the rise of caustic alkali study and industrial chemistry, where processes like saponification and soap making demanded understanding of alkaline materials. Over time, “alkalies” became established in scientific discourse to reference more than one basic substance collectively, especially in contrast to acids and salts. In contemporary usage, alkalies denote any base in aqueous solution, particularly hydroxides, while “alkali” remains common for a class of soluble bases. The term’s evolution mirrors the broader development of acid-base chemistry from empirical observations to a structured theoretical framework.
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Words that rhyme with "alkalies"
-re) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as /ˈæl.kəˌlaɪz/. It has three syllables: AL- (stressed), ka- (weak secondary), -lȳz (final syllable with a long I sound). Start with a clear /æ/ as in 'cat', then a mid /kə/ schwa, and end with /laɪz/ like 'lies'. The primary stress is on the first syllable, with a mild secondary stress on the third syllable. Audio references: Cambridge/Forvo entries show the same pattern. IPA guide: US /ˈæl.kəˌlaɪz/, UK /ˈæl.kəˌlaɪz/.
Common errors include misplacing stress or merging syllables: saying al-KA-li-es with incorrect final /iː/ or /iəs/ ending. Another is mispronouncing the final /aɪz/ as /iːz/ or /əz/. To correct: keep the final /laɪz/ as a single unit with the long /aɪ/ glide, and maintain a light secondary stress on the middle syllable; practice breaking into three beats: AL - kə - лаɪz. Listening to native references will help internalize the rhythm.
In US and UK, initial /æ/ remains near same; rhoticity affects the vowel in /kə/ only slightly. US speakers may have a slightly darker /æ/ and more pronounced /ɪ/ in some accents, but the overall pattern /ˈæl.kəˌlaɪz/ holds. Australian speakers share similar vowels with slight vowel raising in /ə/ and a more clipped final /laɪz/. Diphthongs may be a touch more rounded in AU, with /aɪ/ staying as a clear rise. IPA remains consistent: /ˈæl.kəˌlaɪz/ across major varieties, with minor refinements in vowel quality.
It challenges learners with the three-syllable rhythm, cluster transition between /k/ and /lə/ in the middle, and the final /laɪz/ where the /aɪ/ glide meets /z/. The stress pattern (primary on first syllable) may be unfamiliar if your L1 emphasizes different stress. The presence of a schwa in /kə/ can be subtle; maintaining a clean schwa and a crisp /laɪz/ is essential. Practice with slow, then gradual speed to stabilize articulation.
The final -ies in alkalies is pronounced as /-aɪz/, not /-iːz/ or /-iz/. This reflects the base form alkali where the pluralization adds -es to form alkalies; emphasis remains on the first syllable and the last syllable carries the strong /aɪz/ sound. Remember to keep the middle syllable light; avoid turning /kə/ into a stressed segment. IPA reference helps verify this pattern.
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