phosphorous acid

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, crystalline, water-soluble acid of phosphorus, H 3 PO 3 , from which phosphites are derived.

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phosphorous acid British  

noun

1. Systematic name: phosphoric acid.  Also called: orthophosphorous acid.  a white or yellowish hygroscopic crystalline dibasic acid. Formula: H 3 PO 3

2. any oxyacid of phosphorus containing less oxygen than the corresponding phosphoric acid

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phosphorous acid Scientific  

/ fŏs′fər-əs,fŏs-fôr′əs /

1. A white or yellowish crystalline solid used as a reducing agent. It is hygroscopic (easily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere). Chemical formula: H ₃ PO ₃ .

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Etymology

Origin of phosphorous acid

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

The white fumes of phosphorous acid floated out into the air, and began to diffuse themselves through the hall towards the ventilation outlets at the sides and rear.

From Project Gutenberg

I distilled two parts of finely pulverised manganese with one part of the phosphorous acid of urine in the same way as is indicated in the preceding paragraph, I likewise obtained fire-air.

From Project Gutenberg

The important acids of phosphorus are the following: H3PO3 phosphorous acid.

From Project Gutenberg

Bodies absorbing oxygen, as sulphurous acid, phosphorous acid, and alcohols, decolorize it; under the influence of oxygen its color is restored.

From Project Gutenberg