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hydrocyanic acid

American  

noun

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


hydrocyanic acid British  
/ ˌhaɪdrəʊsaɪˈænɪk /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

hydrocyanic acid Scientific  
/ hī′drō-sī-ănĭk /
  1. An aqueous solution of hydrogen cyanide, having a characteristic smell of bitter almonds.

  2. Also called prussic acid


Etymology

Origin of hydrocyanic acid

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

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