amphoteric

adjective

am·​pho·​ter·​ic ˌam(p)-fə-ˈter-ik 

: partly one and partly the other

specifically : capable of reacting chemically either as an acid or as a base

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German amphoterisch, from Greek amphóteros "either of two, (in plural) both" (derivative, with the suffix of ordering -teros, of ámphō "both") + -isch -ish — more at ambi-

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

amphoteric

adjective

am·​pho·​ter·​ic ˌam(p)-fə-ˈter-ik 

: partly one and partly the other

specifically : capable of reacting chemically either as an acid or as a base

amphoterism

-ˈter-ˌiz-əm 

noun