amphipathic

[ am-fuh-path-ik ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. an uncommon variant of amphiphilic ( def ).

amphipathic

/ ˈæmfɪˌpæθ; ˌæmfɪˈpæθɪk /

adjective

1. chem biochem of or relating to a molecule that possesses both hydrophobic and hydrophilic elements, such as are found in detergents, or phospholipids of biological membranes

Word History and Origins

Origin of amphipathic¹

First recorded in 1970–75; amphi- + -pathic