fuming nitric acid

noun

1. a colorless, yellowish, or brownish fuming corrosive liquid, usually prepared from nitric acid by the addition of excess nitrogen dioxide: used in organic synthesis for nitration, and as an oxidizer in liquid propellants for rockets.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fuming nitric acid¹

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Similarly good graphene oxide could be synthesized previously only using rather dangerous method involving extremely toxic fuming nitric acid.

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Not content with that, Prof Poliakoff and Mr Barnes then placed a second new fiver in a beaker and filled it with "fuming nitric acid" - a "witches' brew" of nitric acid plus dinitrogen tetroxide.

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Everything is turbine pumps and red fuming nitric acid and supersonic flight.

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Everything is still turbine pumps and red fuming nitric acid and supersonic flight.

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Unlike liquid oxygen, which must be kept in extremely cold temperature, red fuming nitric acid can be stored in normal temperatures, which makes it a convenient propellant for missiles, the official said.

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