superoxide

American  

[soo-per-ok-sahyd, -sid] / ˌsu pərˈɒk saɪd, -sɪd /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a compound containing the univalent ion O 2 − .

2. peroxide.

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superoxide British  

/ ˌsuːpərˈɒksaɪd /

noun

1. any of certain metal oxides that contain the O 2 ^– ion

   potassium superoxide, KO2

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Etymology

Origin of superoxide

First recorded in 1840–50; super- + oxide

Example Sentences

On the flip side, over production of superoxide can have detrimental effects on an animal, and can degrade essential proteins in the body and break down DNA.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2023

The water goes into the detection wand and mixes inside of a chamber, where a chemical reaction with superoxide produces light that can be measured in real time.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2023

These findings rule out algae as the source of superoxide and instead indicate that the coral animal itself or its bacterial symbionts are the sources.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2023

She also dove in Alvin to measure superoxide with SOLARIS.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2023

One molecule of permanganate equals one molecule of nitric oxide when manganous sulphate is used, since no part of the permanganate employed in this method is reduced below the superoxide condition.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 561, October 2, 1886 by Various