cyanamide

[ sahy-an-uh-mid, -mahyd, sahy-uh-nam-ahyd, -id ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, unstable, deliquescent solid, CH 2 N 2 , usually produced by the action of ammonia on cyanogen chloride or by the action of sulfuric acid on calcium cyanamide.
2. (not in technical use) calcium cyanamide.

cyanamide

/ -mɪd; saɪˈænəmɪd; saɪˈænəˌmaɪd /

noun

1. Also calledcyanogenamideˌsaɪənəʊˈdʒɛnəˌmaɪd-mɪd a white or colourless crystalline soluble weak dibasic acid, which can be hydrolysed to urea. Formula: H 2 NCN
2. a salt or ester of cyanamide
3. See calcium cyanamide
   short for calcium cyanamide

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyanamide¹

First recorded in 1830–40; cyan- ² + amide

Example Sentences

Nascent hydrogen reduces cyanamide to ammonia and methylamine.

From Project Gutenberg

Heated in the electric furnace in a current of air, it yields calcium cyanamide (see Cyanamide).

From Project Gutenberg