hydrocyanic acid

American  

noun

1. a colorless, highly poisonous liquid, HCN, an aqueous solution of hydrogen cyanide.

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hydrocyanic acid British  

/ ˌhaɪdrəʊsaɪˈænɪk /

noun

1. another name for hydrogen cyanide, esp when in aqueous solution

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hydrocyanic acid Scientific  

/ hī′drō-sī-ăn′ĭk /

1. An aqueous solution of hydrogen cyanide, having a characteristic smell of bitter almonds.

2. Also called prussic acid

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Etymology

Origin of hydrocyanic acid

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

The researchers also demonstrated that their laser can effectively detect hydrogen cyanide gas in the air, a substance commonly referred to as "hydrocyanic acid."

From Science Daily • Oct. 19, 2025

The French started using hydrocyanic acid in 1916 and put over 4,000 tons.

From Time Magazine Archive

They found that hydrocyanic acid, simply standing in water, gives rise to urea and other substances found in living tissues.

From Time Magazine Archive

Systemic toxics, a small group of gases of which the principal member is hydrocyanic acid, kill by paralyzing the central nervous system.

From Time Magazine Archive

For instance, a mixture of citric acid with a much smaller amount of potassium nitrite and a trace of bicarbonate of iron, if exposed to light, will generate hydrocyanic acid.

From The Social Gangster by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)