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nitrous

[ nahy-truhs ]
/ ˈnaɪ trəs /

adjective Chemistry.

pertaining to compounds obtained from niter, usually containing less oxygen than the corresponding nitric compounds.
containing nitrogen, usually in the trivalent state.

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Origin of nitrous

First recorded in 1595–1605, nitrous is from the Latin word nitrōsus full of natron. See nitroso-

OTHER WORDS FROM nitrous

non·ni·trous, adjective

Words nearby nitrous

nitrosourea, nitrostarch, nitrosyl, nitrosylsulfuric, nitrosylsulfuric acid, nitrous, nitrous acid, nitrous bacteria, nitrous ether, nitrous oxide, nitroxanthic acid
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for nitrous

British Dictionary definitions for nitrous

nitrous
/ (ˈnaɪtrəs) /

adjective

of, derived from, or containing nitrogen, esp in a low valency state

Word Origin for nitrous

C17: from Latin nitrōsus full of natron see nitre
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for nitrous

nitrous
[ nī′trəs ]

adj.

Of, derived from, or containing nitrogen, especially in a valence state lower than that in a comparable nitric compound.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for nitrous

nitrous
[ nī′trəs ]

Containing nitrogen, especially nitrogen with a valence of 3. Compare nitric.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.