bicarbonate

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ Proto-Indo-European *dwi- Proto-Italic *dwi- Latin bi-bor. English bi- Proto-Indo-European *kerh₃-der.? Latin carbōlbor. French carbonebor. English carbon Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātuslbor. English -ate English carbonate English bicarbonate From bi- + carbonate.

1. the univalent anion HCO₃⁻; any salt of carbonic acid in which only one of the hydrogen atoms has been replaced.

   “The next question that occurs relates to the composition of this crystallized carbonate of potash, which I am induced to call bi-carbonate of potash, for the purpose of marking more decidedly the distinction between this salt and that which is commonly called a subcarbonate, and in order to refer at once to the double dose of carbonic acid contained in it.”

2. Clipping of sodium bicarbonate, especially that used as a mild antacid.

   “Fans will pump air through the alkaline stream, which causes carbon dioxide to form solid calcium carbonate, the material from which seashells are formed, which will look like a fine sand, as well as dissolved bicarbonate.”