Chem. Obs. [a. Fr. alcaligène, f. ALKALI + -GEN(E, taken to signify ‘producer.’] A name proposed for nitrogen.
1790. Kerr, trans. Lavoisier’s Chem., 52. It was at first proposed to call it alkaligen gas, as … it appears to enter into the composition of ammoniac or volatile alkali.
1879. Syd. Soc. Lex., Alkaligene, nitrogen, because it is a chief constituent of ammonia.
