A chemical compound containing the hydroxyl group (OH⁻), typically formed when a metal oxide reacts with water. Common examples include sodium hydroxide (lye) and calcium hydroxide (lime).
Formed in the 19th century from 'hydro-' (from Greek 'hydor' meaning water) combined with 'oxide' (from French 'oxyde,' from Greek 'oxys' meaning sharp or acid). The term describes compounds that release hydroxyl ions in aqueous solutions.
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