cyanide

[sahy-uh-nahyd, -nid]

noun

1. Chemistry.,  Also cyanid

   1. a salt of hydrocyanic acid, as potassium cyanide, KCN.

   2. a nitrile, as methyl cyanide, C 2 H 3 N.

verb (used with object)

cyanided, cyaniding 

1. to treat with a cyanide, as an ore in order to extract gold.

cyanide

/ ˈsaɪəˌnaɪd, ˈsaɪənɪd /

noun

1. any salt of hydrocyanic acid. Cyanides contain the ion CN ^– and are extremely poisonous

2. another name (not in technical usage) for nitrile

cyanide

1. Any of a large group of chemical compounds containing the radical CN, especially the very poisonous salts sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide. Cyanides are used to make plastics and to extract and treat metals.

Other Word Forms

• cyanidation noun
• subcyanid noun
• subcyanide noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyanide¹

1820–30; cyan- ³ + -ide ( def. )

Example Sentences

The way things are going, that will likely be the only way to keep from one day pouring a cool glass of cyanide from our sinks.

From Salon

Testing done by a professional hygienist allegedly found heavy metals, lead, cyanide and other contaminants, which would require demolition, removal of dry wall and flooring, and other repairs.

From Los Angeles Times

Also present was journalist Al Martinez, who would become a Times columnist and, decades later, write about being haunted by what he saw as the cyanide pellets dropped and the gas rose.

From Los Angeles Times

It also confirmed there were no containers on board carrying sodium cyanide, as had been initially feared.

From BBC

Lloyds List, a shipping data company, said on Monday that it was carrying sodium cyanide.

From BBC