prussic acid

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. hydrocyanic acid.

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prussic acid British  

/ ˈprʌsɪk /

noun

1. the weakly acidic extremely poisonous aqueous solution of hydrogen cyanide

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prussic acid Scientific  

/ prŭs′ĭk /

1. See hydrocyanic acid

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Etymology

Origin of prussic acid

1780–90; translation of French acide prussique (equivalent to Prusse Prussia + -ique -ic ); so called because it was first obtained by heating Prussian blue with sulfuric acid

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prussic acid

In the early 1900s, buyers had to sign for drugs they bought from a chemist, but the prosecution pointed out that the signature for the prussic acid didn't match the one on Orme's letters.

From BBC ● Jan. 13, 2024

Woolen and silk clothes, rugs and furnishings produce prussic acid and ammonia as well as carbon monoxide and dioxide.

From Time Magazine Archive

Following the trail of a prussic acid theft, Sergeant Bell of Scotland Yard blunders his way into an inspectorship, following his self-denied solution of the crime.

From Time Magazine Archive

Pies made in this manner are much better than with the stones taken out, as the prussic acid of the stones, gives the pie a fine flavor.

From The New England Cook Book, or Young Housekeeper's Guide Being a Collection of the Most Valuable Receipts; Embracing all the Various Branches of Cookery, and Written in a Minute and Methodical Manner by Anonymous

An old nail-brush, with a solution of ammonia and prussic acid, will remove traces of custard pie from light shades in pantaloons.

From Cordwood by Bill Nye

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