ambident

adjective

am·​bi·​dent ˈam-bə-dənt 

of a chemical reagent

: capable of initiating a reaction from two or more sites

X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated the ambident nature of S-alkylated thiosemicarbazone …

—News of Science, 5 July 2009

Word History

Etymology

ambi- + -dent (in bident, trident entry 2)

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

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