mercurous

American  

[mer-kyoor-uhs, mur-kyer-uhs] / mərˈkyʊər əs, ˈmɜr kyər 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

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

Examine cinnabar, vermilion, mercury, red oxide, mercurous and mercuric chloride.

From An Introduction to Chemical Science by Williams, Rufus Phillips

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)

If a solution of potassium iodide is added to solutions of a mercurous and a mercuric salt respectively, the corresponding iodides are precipitated.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William

A. Werner determined the molecular weights of mercurous, cuprous and silver bromides, iodides and chlorides in pyridine solution, and obtained results pointing to the formula HgCl, etc.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 1 "Calhoun" to "Camoens" by Various