zwitterion

noun

zwit·​ter·​ion ˈtsvi-tər-ˌī-ˌän How to pronounce zwitterion (audio)
also
ˈzwi- How to pronounce zwitterion (audio)
: a dipolar ion
zwitterionic
ˌzwi-tər-ī-ˈä-nik How to pronounce zwitterion (audio)
ˌswi-
ˌtsvi- How to pronounce zwitterion (audio)
adjective

Word History

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

Dictionary Entries Near zwitterion

Zwinglian

zwitterion

Zwolle

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Zwitterion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zwitterion. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

zwitterion

noun
zwit·​ter·​ion
ˈtsvit-ər-ˌī-ˌän also ˈzwit-
: a dipolar ion
zwitterionic
ˌtsvit-ər-ī-ˈän-ik How to pronounce zwitterion (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on zwitterion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about zwitterion

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