amphipathic

adjective

am·​phi·​path·​ic ˌam(p)-fə-ˈpa-thik 

: amphiphilic

Peptides of this nature are known as amphipathic because they contain groups with radically different properties—in this case, a hydrophobic side and a hydrophilic side.

—Kevin Wilson

Examples of amphipathic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Emulsifiers are amphipathic compounds, meaning the molecule has both a polar and nonpolar section. — Alice Chi Phung, Discover Magazine, 10 Mar. 2015

Word History

Etymology

amphi- + -pathic

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for amphipathic

• allopathic
• cytopathic
• naturopathic
• neuropathic
• psychopathic
• telepathic
• empathic
• feldspathic
• felspathic
• homeopathic
• idiopathic
• osteopathic

Medical Definition

amphipathic

adjective

am·​phi·​path·​ic ˌam-fə-ˈpath-ik 

: amphiphilic

amphipath

ˈam-fə-ˌpath 

noun