picric acid

noun

Chemistry.

1. a yellow, crystalline, water-soluble, intensely bitter, poisonous acid, C 6 H 3 N 3 O 7 , used chiefly in explosives.

picric acid

/ ˈpɪkrɪk /

noun

1. Systematic name: 2,4,6-trinitrophenol. a toxic sparingly soluble crystalline yellow acid used as a dye, antiseptic, and explosive. Formula: C 6 H 2 OH(NO 2 ) 3 See also lyddite

picric acid

1. A poisonous, yellow crystalline solid used in explosives, dyes, and antiseptics. Chemical formula: C ₆ H ₃ N ₃ O ₇ .

Word History and Origins

Origin of picric acid¹

First recorded in 1850–55