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adjective

carboxyl

containing the acidic COOH group found in organic acids

In a sentence

Six example sentences with carboxyl, each labelled with its topic.

  • Every amino acid carries a carboxyl end that gives up a proton, which is why the solution turns acidic.

    Science

  • Chemists attach a carboxyl tail to the molecule so the kidney clears it faster and the dose stays predictable.

    Medicine

  • The sour edge in yogurt comes from lactic acid, whose carboxyl end releases hydrogen into the milk as it ferments.

    Cooking

  • Humus is rich in carboxyl groups that grip metal ions, which is why dark soil holds nutrients that sand lets wash away.

    Environment

  • Engineers attach carboxyl groups to the surface of nanotubes so the tubes disperse in water instead of clumping together.

    Technology

  • Conservators trace the white blisters on old oil paintings to carboxyl groups in the oil binding with lead from the pigment.

    Art

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Found in these word lists

Each source is a published word list that contains carboxyl. No exam board publishes an official GRE, GMAT or SAT list; GMAT words come from GRE lists and the Academic Word List.

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