mercurous

American  

[mer-kyoor-uhs, mur-kyer-uhs] / mərˈkjʊər əs, ˈmɜr kjər əs /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. containing univalent mercury, Hg +1 or Hg 2 +2 .

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mercurous British  

/ ˈmɜːkjʊrəs /

adjective

1. of or containing mercury in the monovalent state; denoting a mercury(I) compound. Mercurous salts contain the divalent ion Hg² 2 ⁺

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mercurous Scientific  

/ mər-kyr′əs,mûr′kyər-əs /

1. Containing mercury, especially mercury with a valence of 1.

2. Compare mercuric

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Etymology

Origin of mercurous

First recorded in 1860–65; mercur(y) + -ous

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mercurous

Silver chloride, lead chloride, and mercurous chloride are insoluble in water and acids, and can be prepared by adding hydrochloric acid to solutions of compounds of the respective elements.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William

The precipitate is allowed to settle for some time, filtered, and washed with a dilute solution of mercurous nitrate.

From A Text-book of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines. by Beringer, Cornelius

Minor sources include the black or gray sulphide, metacinnabar, the native metal, and the white mercurous chloride, calomel.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)

With mercurous nitrate, the platinocyanide of potassium forms a thick smalt blue, and the platinidcyanide a dark blue precipitate.

From Field's Chromatography or Treatise on Colours and Pigments as Used by Artists by Salter, Thomas

Compounds.—Aurous oxide, Au2O, is obtained by cautiously adding potash to a solution of aurous bromide, or by boiling mixed solutions of auric chloride and mercurous nitrate.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 2 "Gloss" to "Gordon, Charles George" by Various