| electronegative | <chemistry, physics> Relating to or charged with negative electricity. Normally refers to an element whose uncharged atoms have a tendency to ionise by adding electrons, thus becoming anions (e.g., oxygen, fluorine, chlorine). It has the property of being attracted by an electropositive body, or a tendency to pass to the positive pole during electrolysis. Source: Websters Dictionary (21 Jun 2000) |
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| electronegative element | An element whose atoms have a tendency to accept electrons and form negative ions (e.g., oxygen, sulfur, chlorine, etc.). (05 Mar 2000) |