electronegativityn.
/ᵻˌlɛktrə(ʊ)ˌnɛɡəˈtɪvᵻti/, U.S. /əˌlɛktrəˈnɛɡəˈtɪvᵻdi/, /iˌlɛktrəˌnɛɡəˈtɪvᵻdi/ Chiefly Chemistry.
The state or property of being electronegative; esp. the degree to which an element, atom, etc., tends to gain electrons in chemical reactions.Values of electronegativity are expressed on a number of scales, esp. those due to Pauling (1932) and Mulliken (1934). On these scales, high values are given to electronegative elements (non-metals) while electropositive elements (metals) show lower values.
ΚΠ
1837 J. D. Dana Syst. Mineral. 82 When chemistry has so far advanced, that the relative electro-negativity, (if I may so call it,) or electro-positivity, of the several elements, is fully known,..we shall probably be able to construct a natural arrangement of minerals on chemical principles.
1906 Lancet 29 Dec. 1797/2 In the dog the apex [of the ventricle of the heart] may precede the base in electronegativity.
1926 Jrnl. Amer. Chem. Soc. 48 3130 A study of the electronegativity of organic radicals is of much importance from the standpoint of the electronic conception of valence.
1974 D. M. Adams Inorg. Solids i. 3 Three factors were considered as fundamental in alloy structures: (a) size of the atoms; (b) their relative electronegativities; (c) the valence-electron concentration.
2000 M. Clugston & R. Flemming Adv. Chem. v. 73 In the example above [sc. gallium arsenide], the maximum electron density occurs closer to arsenic (electronegativity 2.2) than to gallium (electronegativity 1.8).
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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