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prussic

[ pruhs-ik ]

/ ˈprʌs ɪk /

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adjective Chemistry.

of or derived from prussic acid.

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Origin of prussic

First recorded in 1780–90; see origin at prussic acid

Words nearby prussic

Prussian, Prussian blue, Prussianism, prussianize, prussiate, prussic, prussic acid, Prusso-, Prusso-Danish War, Prut, pruta

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use prussic in a sentence

The celebrated author just barely outlived his acquaintance Polidori, who committed suicide in 1821 by swallowing prussic acid.
The Man Who Invented Vampires and the Creepiest Literary Gathering Ever|Emma Garman|November 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Exposed to oxygen, the pellets gave off prussic acid, blocking the exchange of oxygen in the blood.
My Visit To Hell|Christopher Buckley|January 30, 2009|DAILY BEAST
So let us pity the poor vial of prussic acid dashed down so suddenly, and by so noble a hand, whom mortals call Marat.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. VII, December 1850, Vol. II|Various
A weapon with the smallest point covered with the matter kills as instantaneously as prussic acid.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. VII, December 1850, Vol. II|Various

One of his contemporaries said of him that he sometimes mistook his vial of prussic acid for his ink-pot.
The Dreamer|Mary Newton Stanard
The autopsy revealed the mere fact that Mr. Blair was poisoned by prussic acid, taken into the stomach.
The Come Back|Carolyn Wells
The cyanide present as hydrogen cyanide or prussic acid (HCy) is practically useless as a gold solvent.
A Textbook of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines.|Cornelius Beringer and John Jacob Beringer