prussic

[ pruhs-ik ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. of or derived from prussic acid.

Word History and Origins

Origin of prussic¹

First recorded in 1780–90; prussic acid

Example Sentences

The celebrated author just barely outlived his acquaintance Polidori, who committed suicide in 1821 by swallowing prussic acid.

From The Daily Beast

Exposed to oxygen, the pellets gave off prussic acid, blocking the exchange of oxygen in the blood.

From The Daily Beast

So let us pity the poor vial of prussic acid dashed down so suddenly, and by so noble a hand, whom mortals call Marat.

From Project Gutenberg

A weapon with the smallest point covered with the matter kills as instantaneously as prussic acid.

From Project Gutenberg

One of his contemporaries said of him that he sometimes mistook his vial of prussic acid for his ink-pot.

From Project Gutenberg

The autopsy revealed the mere fact that Mr. Blair was poisoned by prussic acid, taken into the stomach.

From Project Gutenberg

The cyanide present as hydrogen cyanide or prussic acid (HCy) is practically useless as a gold solvent.

From Project Gutenberg