Tending to become alkaline; incipiently or slightly alkaline; promoting alkalinity. Now historical.
Origin
Early 18th century; earliest use found in Edward Barry (1696–1776), physician. From alkali + -escent, perhaps via post-classical Latin alcalescens. Compare French alcalescent, adjective.
Definition of alkalescent in US English:
alkalescent
(also alcalescent)
adjectiveˌalkəˈlɛsnt
Medicine
Tending to become alkaline; incipiently or slightly alkaline; promoting alkalinity. Now historical.
Origin
Early 18th century; earliest use found in Edward Barry (1696–1776), physician. From alkali + -escent, perhaps via post-classical Latin alcalescens. Compare French alcalescent, adjective.