alkali poisoning

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Definition

Noun: * Poisoning from an alkaline substance: A specific type of poisoning that occurs when a strongly basic (alkaline) chemical compound, such as lye (sodium hydroxide) or ammonia, is swallowed.

Usage
  • Noun:
    • The emergency room doctor recognized the symptoms of alkali poisoning.
    • Ingesting drain cleaner, which often contains lye, can cause severe alkali poisoning.
Advanced Usage
  • Medical Context: The term is used clinically to distinguish this type of chemical injury from acid poisoning. Alkali substances cause liquefactive necrosis, which can lead to deep, penetrating tissue damage, particularly in the esophagus.
Variants and Related Words
  • Alkali (n): A base that dissolves in water, having a pH greater than 7.
    • Soap is a mild alkali.
  • Alkaline (adj): Having the properties of an alkali; basic.
    • Bleach is an alkaline solution.
  • Caustic poisoning (n): A broader term that can include poisoning from both strong alkalis and strong acids.
    • The label warned of the risk of caustic poisoning.
Synonyms
  • Caustic ingestion: A more general medical term for swallowing corrosive substances.
  • Lye poisoning: A specific, common type of alkali poisoning.
Notes
  • Not an Idiom or Phrasal Verb: "Alkali poisoning" is a fixed noun compound used in medical and safety contexts. It is not used idiomatically.
Noun
  1. poisoning resulting from the ingestion of an alkali compound (as lye or ammonia)