nonaqueous
|non-a-que-ous|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑːnˈeɪkwiəs/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒnˈeɪkwiəs/
not containing water
Etymology
'nonaqueous' originates from Modern English, specifically from the negative prefix 'non-' and the adjective 'aqueous', where 'non-' meant 'not' and Latin 'aqua' meant 'water'.
'aqueous' entered English from Late Latin 'aqueus' (from Latin 'aqua' meaning 'water'); 'nonaqueous' was formed in English by prefixing 'non-' to 'aqueous'.
Initially it meant 'not aqueous' (i.e., not water-based), and over time it has retained this technical meaning in scientific contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not aqueous; not containing, based on, or dissolved in water; water-free (often used in chemistry to describe solvents or environments that do not involve water).
The battery uses a nonaqueous electrolyte.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/30 08:34