sodium/potassium
|so-di-um - po-tas-si-um|
🇺🇸
/ˈsoʊ.di.əm/
🇬🇧
/ˈsəʊ.dɪ.əm/
alkali metal element
Etymology
'sodium' originates from New Latin 'sodium', formed from 'soda' (the substance soda, from earlier languages) plus the chemical suffix '-ium'; 'potassium' originates from English 'potash' + the chemical suffix '-ium' (with 'potash' from Dutch 'potaschen' meaning 'pot ash').
'sodium' was coined in modern chemistry from 'soda' (an old name for sodium carbonate) and the Neo-Latin formation 'sodium'; over time this became the standard English element name 'sodium'. 'potassium' developed from the English word 'potash' (ash from a pot) into New/Modern Latin-influenced 'potassium' and then into English as the element name.
Initially, the names referred to the source materials ('soda' and 'potash'); over time they evolved into the systematic names for the isolated chemical elements 'sodium' and 'potassium'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the chemical element sodium (symbol Na), an alkali metal used in compounds such as table salt (sodium chloride) and important in biological functions like nerve conduction and fluid balance.
Sodium helps regulate the body's fluid balance and nerve signals.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the chemical element potassium (symbol K), an alkali metal found in many foods and essential for muscle function, nerve signaling, and cellular processes.
A diet high in potassium can help maintain normal blood pressure.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/12/09 00:37