n.
Pronunciation: ' al-k ə - ˌ l ī
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -lies or -lis
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Arabic al-qili the ashes of the plant saltwort
Date: 14th century
1 : a soluble salt obtained from the ashes of plants and consisting largely of potassium or sodium carbonate broadly : a substance (as a hydroxide or carbonate of an alkali metal) having marked basic properties ― compare BASE 7a
2 : ALKALI METAL
3 : a soluble salt or a mixture of soluble salts present in some soils of arid regions in quantity detrimental to agriculture