nitrile

[nahy-tril, -treel, -trahyl]

noun

Chemistry.

1. any of a class of organic compounds with the general formula RC≡N.

nitrile

/ ˈnaɪtrɪl, -traɪl /

noun

1. Also called (not in technical usage): cyanide. any one of a class of organic compounds containing the monovalent group -CN

nitrile

1. An organic compound, such as acrylonitrile, containing the cyanide group CN. Nitriles are typically colorless solids or liquids and have a distinctive smell.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nitrile¹

1840–50; nitr- + -ile, perhaps variant of -yl

Example Sentences

They seized a box containing four "lethal" self-loading pistols, each individually packaged with a silencer, blue nitrile gloves and 10 rounds of live ammunition.

From BBC

A musician called Safana Bakleh gave her group of volunteers face masks and blue nitrile gloves along with instructions about photographing and collecting documents.

From BBC

Each comes with nitrile gloves and polyethylene bags, the listing says, “for safe handling of these beautiful but dangerous books.”

From New York Times

WARNING: This experiment uses chemicals that can irritate skin and damage clothes, so make sure to use safety goggles, lab apron, and nitrile gloves.

From National Geographic Kids

But back in 2021, the manufacturer issued a similar recall for approximately 6,384 pounds of Panera at Home Chicken Tortilla Soup, which may have been contaminated with pieces of gray nitrile glove.

From Salon