law of multiple proportions
n · noun
Simple meaning
The law of multiple proportions states that in compounds which contain two particular chemical elements.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
lawuhvmuhltuhpuhlpruhpawrshuhnzSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈlɔˈʌvˈmʌltəpəlpɹəˈpɔɹʃənz
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
n
In chemistry, the law of multiple proportions states that in compounds which contain two particular chemical elements, the amount of Element A per measure of Element B will differ across these compounds by ratios of small whole numbers.
noun
chemistry
Law stating that when two elements can combine to form more than one compound the amounts of one of them that combines with a fixed amount of the other will exhibit a simple multiple relation
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: In chemistry, the law of multiple proportions states that in compounds which contain two particular chemical elements, the amount of Element A per measure of Element B will differ across these compounds by ratios of small whole numbers.
Used this way, law of multiple proportions is a specialist word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It stays understated rather than dramatic. This is a legal use: the wording is institutional and carries a defined meaning in law rather than a loose everyday one.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Specialist/technical
- Intensity
- Mild
- How common
- Specialized
- Connotation
- Clinical and technical
- Usage feel
- Technical and specialized
Where it naturally appears
- Law/legal
- Government/politics
- Academic writing
- Science
Usage note
In general conversation this sense usually needs explaining — outside its field, people reach for a plainer word.
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
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