hydrocyanic acid

noun

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

hydrocyanic acid

/ ˌhaɪdrəʊsaɪˈænɪk /

noun

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

hydrocyanic acid

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

2. Also called prussic acid

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydrocyanic acid¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Kyiv, he claimed, was violating the international Chemical Weapons Convention with a variety of substances with the assistance of Western countries, including the psychochemical warfare agent BZ as well as hydrocyanic acid and cyanogen chloride.

From BBC

It said no deaths from mechanical injuries were visible and all symptoms were characteristic of a chemical weapons attack, particularly choking agents and organophosphorus agents or hydrocyanic acid.

From Reuters

West advises dilute hydrocyanic acid, and many writers agree with him, ranking it next to belladonna.

From Project Gutenberg

Dr. Behr tells us that the foliage, in withering, develops hydrocyanic acid, the odor of which is quite perceptible.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no tetanic phase, being, as I apprehend, a condition almost reverse in objective symptoms to hydrocyanic acid or strychnia.

From Project Gutenberg