IONIC
What does "IONIC" mean?
Relating to ions, or to a chemical bond formed by the transfer of electrons between atoms.
Meanings
- Of or relating to ions - atoms or molecules carrying an electric charge. Table salt is held together by an ionic bond between sodium and chlorine. technical
- Of the Ionic order of classical Greek architecture, marked by columns with scroll-shaped volutes. The temple's slender Ionic columns curled into stone scrolls at the top. technical
Did you know?
- The 'ion' inside 'ionic' was coined in 1834 by polymath William Whewell, who proposed it to Michael Faraday - from the Greek for 'going', because ions migrate toward charged plates.
Word origin
From Greek: the chemistry sense via 'ion' ('going one', from 'ienai', to go), coined by Faraday's circle; the architecture sense from 'Ionia', the Greek-settled coast of Asia Minor.
Remember it
IONIC = I-ON-IC: the ION sits right in the middle, charged and ready to go.
A little poem
Sodium lets go-
one electron crosses, and
two strangers are salt.
haiku
Wordplay
- Two atoms bumped into each other. One said, 'I think I lost an electron.' The other asked, 'Are you positive?'
What it teaches
Sometimes the strongest bond forms only after one side is willing to give something away.
Quick facts
What does IONIC mean?
Relating to ions, or to a chemical bond formed by the transfer of electrons between atoms.
Is IONIC a valid word?
Yes — IONIC is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is IONIC?
IONIC has 5 letters and 3 syllables.
Where does IONIC come from?
From Greek: the chemistry sense via 'ion' ('going one', from 'ienai', to go), coined by Faraday's circle; the architecture sense from 'Ionia', the Greek-settled coast of Asia Minor.
What can IONIC teach us?
Sometimes the strongest bond forms only after one side is willing to give something away.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.