zwitterion

/ˈtsvɪtəɹ.aɪən/

TSVꞮTƏɹ · aɪən (2 syllables)

English Noun

Definition

A molecule, such as an amino acid, that carries both a positive and a negative charge.

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from German Zwitterion, from Zwitter (“hermaphrodite”) + Ion (“ion”).