nucleophilic

[ noo-klee-uh-fil-ik, nyoo- ]
/ ˌnu kli əˈfɪl ɪk, ˌnyu- /

adjective Chemistry.

of or relating to electron contribution in covalent bonding (opposed to electrophilic).

Origin of nucleophilic

First recorded in 1930–35; nucleo- + -philic

OTHER WORDS FROM nucleophilic

nu·cle·o·phile [noo-klee-uh-fahyl, nyoo-] /ˈnu kli əˌfaɪl, ˈnyu-/, noun

Words nearby nucleophilic

nucleon, nucleon number, nucleonics, nucleopetal, nucleophile, nucleophilic, nucleoplasm, nucleoprotein, nucleorrhexis, nucleosidase, nucleoside

British Dictionary definitions for nucleophile

nucleophilic
/ (ˌnjuːklɪəʊˈfɪlɪk) /

adjective

chem having or involving an affinity for positive charge. Nucleophilic reagents (nucleophiles) are molecules, atoms, and ions that behave as electron donors Compare electrophilic

Medical definitions for nucleophile

nucleophile
[ nōō′klē-ə-fīl′ ]

n.

A chemical compound or group that is attracted to nuclei and tends to donate or share electrons.

Other words from nucleophile

nu′cle•o•phil′ic (-fĭl′ĭk) adj.