metaphosphoric acid

[met-uh-fos-fawr-ik, -for-]

noun

Chemistry.

1. an acid, HPO 3 , derived from phosphorous pentoxide, and containing the smallest amount of water of the phosphoric acids.

metaphosphoric acid

/ ˌmɛtəfɒsˈfɒrɪk /

noun

1. a glassy deliquescent highly polymeric solid, used as a dehydrating agent. Formula: (HPO 3 ) n See also polyphosphoric acid

Word History and Origins

Origin of metaphosphoric acid¹

First recorded in 1825–35; meta- + phosphoric