nitric

[nahy-trik]

adjective

Chemistry.

1. containing nitrogen, usually in the pentavalent state.

2. of or relating to niter.

nitric

/ ˈnaɪtrɪk /

adjective

1. of or containing nitrogen, esp in the pentavalent state

nitric

1. Containing nitrogen, especially nitrogen with a valence of 5.

2. Compare nitrous

Other Word Forms

• nonnitric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nitric¹

1785–95; nitr- + -ic, modeled on French nitrique

Example Sentences

Nitrous oxide was first synthesized in the late 18th century, by dampening iron filings with nitric acid and heating it to create a gas.

From Los Angeles Times

Even substances that don’t look like well-known signals might act as messengers, as scientists learned when it turned out that gases such as nitric oxide can affect organs.

From Science Magazine

The port and the company are currently negotiating Norwegian’s contribution to the project — a welcome gesture given previous years of emitting carbon and sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide and other harmful particulate matter on Seattle’s waterfront.

From Seattle Times

They are moving away from using nitric acid to purify gold, instead switching to Aqua Regia, which is less polluting.

From BBC

Innovations such as laser therapy and Piezoelectric therapy stimulate tissue healing by promoting the release of nitric acid, which causes blood vessels to widen.

From Seattle Times