chaotropism

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noun

The ability to disrupt hydrogen bonding, especially within or between biological molecules

“The chaotropism of chlorate is greater than that of sulfate.”

OriginAncient Greek χάος →
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Meanings

nounchaotropism (uncountable)
  1. physicaluncountablebiochemistryThe ability to disrupt hydrogen bonding, especially within or between biological molecules

    The chaotropism of chlorate is greater than that of sulfate.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekχάος“vast chasm, void”
  2. Englishchaotropism

From chaos + -tropism, from Ancient Greek χάος (kháos, “vast chasm, void”). By surface analysis, chao- + -trope + -ism.

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

chaotropism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chaotropism

MLA

“chaotropism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chaotropism. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “chaotropism,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chaotropism.

Source: chaotropism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.