silver nitrate

American  

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, water-soluble, bitter, corrosive, poisonous powder, AgNO 3 , produced by the reaction of silver and dilute nitric acid: used chiefly in the manufacture of photographic emulsions and mirrors, as a laboratory reagent, and in medicine as an antiseptic, astringent, and in the routine prophylaxis of ophthalmia neonatorum.

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silver nitrate British  

noun

1. a white crystalline soluble poisonous substance used in making photographic emulsions, other silver salts, and as a medical antiseptic and astringent. Formula: AgNO 3 See also lunar caustic

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silver nitrate Scientific  

1. A poisonous, clear, crystalline compound that darkens when exposed to light. It is used in photography and silver plating, and as an external antiseptic. Chemical formula: AgNO ₃ .

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Etymology

Origin of silver nitrate

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

The researchers began by mixing two polymers with potassium bicarbonate, an acid-neutralizing compound, and silver nitrate, which forms antimicrobial nanoparticles that link the polymers together to form a gel.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2024

But the director kept a copy, shot on highly unstable silver nitrate film, in his freezer.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2023

Neglect any increase in volume upon adding the solid silver nitrate.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

The treatment at the time — silver nitrate, opium and tannic acid enemas — destroyed his intestines.

From New York Times • Nov. 1, 2018

In the other hand, she held what Boaz recognized as a storage box for the silver nitrate film from the Grand Dame’s archive room.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny