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reagent

[ree-ey-juh nt]
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noun Chemistry.
  1. a substance that, because of the reactions it causes, is used in analysis and synthesis.
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Origin of reagent

1790–1800; re(act) + agent; cf. act
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for reagent

Historical Examples

  • Tannin precipitates, and the precipitate is soluble in excess of the reagent.

    Poisons: Their Effects and Detection

    Alexander Wynter Blyth

  • Moisten samples of cotton and of wool with Millon's reagent.

  • Treat a sample of the flour in a test tube with this reagent.

  • If this is not the case a slight excess of the reagent is added.

  • It is a reagent which adds new qualities and rearranges what is received.

British Dictionary definitions for reagent

reagent

noun
  1. a substance for use in a chemical reaction, esp for use in chemical synthesis and analysis
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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 reagent

n.

1785, from re- + agent "substance that produces a chemical reaction."

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
reagent in Medicine

reagent

(rē-ā′jənt)
n.
  1. A substance used in a chemical reaction to detect, measure, examine, or produce other substances.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
reagent in Science

reagent

[rē-ā′jənt]
  1. A substance participating in a chemical reaction, especially one used to detect, measure, or produce another substance. Compare agent.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.