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anhydride

American  
[an-hahy-drahyd, -drid] / ænˈhaɪ draɪd, -drɪd /

noun

Chemistry.
  1. a compound formed by removing water from a more complex compound: an oxide of a nonmetal acid anhydride or a metal basic anhydride that forms an acid or a base, respectively, when united with water.

  2. a compound from which water has been abstracted.


anhydride British  
/ ænˈhaɪdraɪd, -drɪd /

noun

  1. a compound that has been formed from another compound by dehydration

  2. a compound that forms an acid or base when added to water

  3. Also called: acid anhydride, acyl anhydride. any organic compound containing the group -CO.O.CO- formed by removal of one water molecule from two carboxyl groups

"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

anhydride Scientific  
/ ăn-hī′drīd′ /
  1. A chemical compound formed from another, especially an acid, by the removal of water.


Etymology

Origin of anhydride

1860–65; anhydr(ous) + -ide ( def. )


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Another makes acetic anhydride, a key ingredient of aspirin, and the third makes ethyl acetate, which is used as a solvent and for decaffeinating tea and coffee.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

These previously uncharacterized acid sulfuric anhydride products are almost certainly key contributors to atmospheric new particle formation and a way to efficiently incorporate carboxylic acids into atmospheric nanoparticles.

From Science Daily ● May 23, 2024

The decomposition time could be varied from days to weeks and potentially even longer by altering the polymer’s anhydride content and the humidity.

From Scientific American ● Sep. 8, 2017

A vacuum is created and then flooded with a liquid called acetic anhydride - effectively industrial vinegar - which is sucked into the spaces in the wood.

From BBC ● May 6, 2011

Then add anhydrous sodium acetate and acetic anhydride in the usual amounts and proceed as described in the regular analysis.

From Soap-Making Manual A Practical Handbook on the Raw Materials, Their Manipulation, Analysis and Control in the Modern Soap Plant. by E. G. Thomssen

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