potassium cyanide

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a white, granular, water-soluble, poisonous powder, KCN, having a faint almondlike odor, used chiefly in metallurgy and photography.

potassium cyanide

noun

1. a white poisonous granular soluble solid substance used in photography and in extracting gold from its ores. Formula: KCN

Word History and Origins

Origin of potassium cyanide¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

On addition of potassium cyanide a transitory red color appeared which reappeared on shaking with air.

From Project Gutenberg

A portion was gently warmed with a few drops of a strong solution of potassium cyanide and two drops of sodium hydroxide.

From Project Gutenberg

Potassium cyanide is a powerful reducing agent (see p. 89) and is readily oxidized to potassium cyanate.

From Project Gutenberg

Potassium cyanide, C(NK), is a powerful reducing agent (see p. 89).

From Project Gutenberg

The following experimental results were obtained with a solution of potassium cyanide made up to contain about 1.2 per cent.

From Project Gutenberg