The Collaborative International Dictionary
Amphoteric
Amphoteric \Am`pho*ter"ic\, a. [Gr. ? both.]
Partly one and partly the other; neither acid nor alkaline;
neutral. [R.]
--Smart.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
amphoteric
"neither acid nor alkaline," 1832, from Greek amphoteros "each or both of two," variant of amphi-.
Wiktionary
amphoteric
a. (context chemistry English) Having the characteristics of both an acid and a base, and capable of reacting as either; amphiprotic.
WordNet
amphoteric
adj. having characteristics of both an acid and a base and capable of reacting as either [syn: amphiprotic] [ant: acidic, alkaline]