nitrous
[nahy-truh s]
- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for nitrous
Contemporary Examples
Campbell is quoted saying “Nitrous oxide can explode on its own.”
Branson’s Galactic Obstacles: Tom Bower Puts a Damper on Virgin’s Space Flight DreamsClive Irving
January 30, 2014
The original seems dated now, but it all started here, from the unstoppable Diesel/Walker combo right down to the nitrous boosts.
One distributor the office is tracking is reportedly raking in more than $60,000 on the bulk sale of nitrous.
As a drug, nitrous is among many forms of inhalants, including solvents and gasoline, that people use to alter the mind.
Nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas, gives one an exhilarating feeling while operating as an anesthetic.
Historical Examples
Tanned leather is best cleaned with nitrous acid and salts of lemon diluted with water, and afterwards mixed with skimmed milk.
It also made no effervescence with nitrous air, as it had done before.
Experiments and Observations on Different Kinds of AirJoseph Priestley
The roof was clustered with nitrous drops and the floor was slippery with moisture.
In Doublet and HoseLucy Foster Madison
There was not a cry or a movement, such as one notes when nitrous oxide is administered.
Hilda WadeGrant Allen
These are ammonia, carbonic acid, nitrous oxide, and chlorine.
nitrous
- of, derived from, or containing nitrogen, esp in a low valency state
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Word Origin
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
Word Origin and History for nitrous
adj.
c.1600, from Latin nitrosus, from nitrum (see nitre). Originally "of nitre, pertaining to nitre;" more precise use in chemistry (designating a compound in which the nitrogen has a lower valence than the corresponding nitric compound) is from 1780s. Nitrous oxide attested from 1800.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
nitrous
(nī′trəs)- Of, derived from, or containing nitrogen, especially in a valence state lower than that in a comparable nitric compound.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
nitrous
[nī′trəs]
- Containing nitrogen, especially nitrogen with a valence of 3. Compare nitric.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.