zwitterion

noun

zwit·​ter·​ion ˈtsvi-tər-ˌī-ˌän 

also

ˈzwi- 

: a dipolar ion

zwitterionic

ˌzwi-tər-ī-ˈä-nik 

ˌswi-

ˌtsvi- 

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

Medical Definition

zwitterion

noun

zwit·​ter·​ion

ˈtsvit-ər-ˌī-ˌän also ˈzwit-

: a dipolar ion

zwitterionic

ˌtsvit-ər-ī-ˈän-ik 

adjective