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

The CPD gene normally produces an enzyme responsible for generating the amino acid arginine, which then helps create nitric oxide, a key neurotransmitter involved in nerve signaling.

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

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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.

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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.

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

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