radical

Pronunciation: /ˈɹædɪkəl/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun (chemistry) two or more atoms bound together as a single unit and forming part of a molecule
  2. noun an atom or group of atoms with at least one unpaired electron; in the body it is usually an oxygen molecule that has lost an electron and will stabilize itself by stealing an electron from a nearby molecule
  3. noun a person who has radical ideas or opinions

Etymology

PIE word *wréh₂ds Inherited from Middle English radical, from Latin rādīcālis (“of or pertaining to the root, having roots, radical”). Compare grassroots.

In classic literature

Synonyms

group, chemical group

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
unit
Narrower (hyponyms)
alcohol group, cacodyl, nitrite, vinyl, cyano group, hydroxyl

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