acrylonitrile

[ ak-ruh-loh-nahy-tril, -treel, -trahyl ]

nounChemistry.
  1. a colorless, flammable, poisonous, carcinogenic liquid, C3H3N, used for the production of polymers and copolymers, as rubbers, fibers, and clear plastics for beverage containers.

Origin of acrylonitrile

1
First recorded in 1890–95; acryl(ic) + -o- + nitrile

Words Nearby acrylonitrile

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How to use acrylonitrile in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for acrylonitrile

acrylonitrile

/ (ˌækrɪləʊˈnaɪtraɪl) /


noun
  1. a colourless liquid that is miscible with water and has toxic fumes: used in the manufacture of acrylic fibres and resins, rubber, and thermoplastics. Formula: CH 2 :CHCN: Also called: vinylcyanide

Origin of acrylonitrile

1
C20: from acrylic + nitrile

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for acrylonitrile

acrylonitrile

[ ăk′rə-lō-nītrəl, -trēl, -trīl ]


  1. A colorless, poisonous, liquid organic compound having a wide variety of industrial uses, such as in the manufacture of acrylic fibers, resins, and acrylamide. Chemical formula: C3H3N.

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