aqua fortis

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. nitric acid.

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aqua fortis British  

/ ˈfɔːtɪs /

noun

1. an obsolete name for nitric acid

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Etymology

Origin of aqua fortis

1595–1605; < Latin: literally, strong water

Example Sentences

It consisted partly of an earth which effervesced violently with aqua fortis, and partly of an ochry powder, which would not dissolve in that acid.

From Experiments upon magnesia alba, Quicklime, and some other Alcaline Substances by Black, Joseph

When the vases are taken out of the excavations, they are covered with a coating of whitish earth, something like tartar, and of a calcareous nature; it disappears on the application of aqua fortis.

From Museum of Antiquity A Description of Ancient Life by Haines, T. L. (Thomas Louis)

Goodyear was astonished to find that the sulphur cured the india-rubber as thoroughly as the aqua fortis, the principal objection being that the sulphurous odor of the goods was frightful in hot weather.

From Inventors by Hubert, Philip Gengembre

Dissolve an ounce of fine silver in three ounces of strong aqua fortis, in a glass bottle.

From Endless Amusement A Collection of Nearly 400 Entertaining Experiments by Unknown

Sutter read up the account of gold in an encyclopedia, tested the substance with aqua fortis, weighed it, and decided that Marshall was right, and that the material he had found was undoubtedly gold.

From The Greater Republic A History of the United States by Morris, Charles