hydrogen cyanide

American  

noun

1. a colorless poisonous gas, HCN, having a bitter almondlike odor: in aqueous solution it forms hydrocyanic acid.

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hydrogen cyanide British  

noun

1. Also called: hydrocyanic acid.  a colourless poisonous liquid with a faint odour of bitter almonds, usually made by a catalysed reaction between ammonia, oxygen, and methane. It forms prussic acid in aqueous solution and is used for making plastics and dyes and as a war gas. Formula: HCN

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hydrogen cyanide Scientific  

1. A colorless, flammable, extremely poisonous liquid. Salts derived from it have many industrial uses, such as hardening iron and steel, extracting metals from ores, electroplating metallic surfaces, and making acrylonitrile, from which acrylic fibers and plastics are produced. It is also used to make dyes and poisons. A solution of hydrogen cyanide in water forms a colorless acid called hydrocyanic acid. Chemical formula: HCN.

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Etymology

Origin of hydrogen cyanide

First recorded in 1880–85

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

The study, published in PNAS, reveals that methane, ethane, and hydrogen cyanide -- compounds abundant on Titan's surface and in its atmosphere -- can interact in ways once thought impossible.

From Science Daily

Sodium cyanide is also highly soluble in water and it can react vigorously to produce the gas hydrogen cyanide - which is also toxic.

From BBC

The ash contains volatile organic compounds that can include benzene, silica, asbestos, lead, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen fluoride.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition, heat from combustion causes some pesticides to degrade into harmful gases such as hydrogen cyanide.

From Los Angeles Times