nitric acid

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless or yellowish, fuming, suffocating, caustic, corrosive, water-soluble liquid, HNO 3 , having powerful oxidizing properties, usually obtained from ammonia or from Chile saltpeter: used chiefly in the manufacture of explosives and fertilizers and in organic synthesis.

nitric acid

noun

1. Former name: aqua fortis. a colourless or yellowish fuming corrosive liquid usually used in aqueous solution. It is an oxidizing agent and a strong monobasic acid: important in the manufacture of fertilizers, explosives, and many other chemicals. Formula: HNO 3

nitric acid

1. A clear, colorless to yellow liquid that is very corrosive and can dissolve most metals. It is used to make fertilizers, explosives, dyes, and rocket fuels. Chemical formula: HNO ₃ .

Word History and Origins

Origin of nitric acid¹

First recorded in 1785–95