sulfurous

[ suhl-fyoo r-uh s, suhl-fer- ]

/ sʌlˈfyʊər əs, ˈsʌl fər- /

adjective

of, relating to, or containing sulfur, especially in the tetravalent state.

of the yellow color of sulfur.

Nearby words

sulfuric, sulfuric acid, sulfuric anhydride, sulfuric ether, sulfurize, sulfurous, sulfurous acid, sulfuryl, sulfuryl chloride, sulfuryl group, sulindac

Origin of sulfurous

From the Latin word sulfurōsus, dating back to 1520–30. See sulfur, -ous

Related formssul·fu·rous·ly, adverbsul·fu·rous·ness, nounnon·sul·fur·ous, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sulfurous

Against this sulfurous backdrop, Democrats and Republicans alike feel compelled to man the ramparts for their core constituencies.
America’s Long-Simmering, Semi-Civil Civil War|Lloyd Green|October 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
An adamant—often sulfurous—Palinphobia has, for 20 months, been the one constant among liberals in America.
Why Palin Drives Us All Mad|Tunku Varadarajan|March 31, 2010|DAILY BEAST
It was added in minute quantities to hide a sulfurous rotten-egg smell in the wine.
The Great Wine Cover-up|Keith Wallace|August 18, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Few things are worse than sulfurous speech like the very fumes of hell.
Studies in the Epistle of James|A. T. Robertson

If sulfurous acid is present a deep blue color forms at once.
Detection of the Common Food Adulterants|Edwin M. Bruce
If a precipitate forms on the addition of barium chlorid the presence of sulfurous acid is indicated.
Detection of the Common Food Adulterants|Edwin M. Bruce
Conan ripped out a sulfurous oath and the long blade quivered in his grip as the muscles rose in ridges on his brown arm.
The People of the Black Circle|Robert E. Howard
Upon him the defiant ruffian turned the forces of his sulfurous hate, full-gush.
From Place to Place|Irvin S. Cobb

Word Origin and History for sulfurous (1 of 2)

sulfurous

adj.

also sulphurous, 1530s, from Latin sulphurosus or a native formation from sulfur + -ous. Related: Sulfurously; sulphurously.

Word Origin and History for sulfurous (1 of 2)

sulfurous

adj.

also sulfurous, 1520s, "of the nature of brimstone," from sulfur + -ous. Hence figurative use with suggestions of hellfire (c.1600). Scientific chemistry sense is from 1790. Earlier in the "brimstone-like" sense was sulphurious (late 15c.).

Medicine definitions for sulfurous

sulfurous

[ sŭl′fər-əs, -fyər-, sŭl-fyur′əs ]

adj.

Of, relating to, derived from, or containing sulfur, especially with valence 4.

Characteristic of or emanating from burning sulfur.

Science definitions for sulfurous

sulfurous

[ sŭl′fər-əs, sŭl-fyur′əs ]

Containing sulfur, especially sulfur with a valence of 4 or 3. Compare sulfuric.

Characteristic of or emanating from burning sulfur.