1.
[syn: nitrogen, N, atomic number 7]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Nitrogen \Ni`tro*gen\ (n[imac]"tr[-o]*j[e^]n), n. [L. nitrum
natron + -gen: cf. F. nitrog[`e]ne. See Niter.] (Chem.)
A colorless nonmetallic element of atomic number 7, tasteless
and odorless, comprising four fifths of the atmosphere by
volume in the form of molecular nitrogen (N2). It is
chemically very inert in the free state, and as such is
incapable of supporting life (hence the name azote still
used by French chemists); but it forms many important
compounds, such as ammonia, nitric acid, the cyanides, etc,
and is a constituent of all organized living tissues, animal
or vegetable. Symbol N. Atomic weight 14.007. It was formerly
regarded as a permanent noncondensible gas, but was liquefied
in 1877 by Cailletet of Paris, and Pictet of Geneva, and
boils at -195.8 [deg] C at atmospheric pressure. Liquid
nitrogen is used as a refrigerant to store delicate
materials, such as bacteria, cells, and other biological
materials.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
nitrogen
n 1: a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless
odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78
percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all
living tissues [syn: nitrogen, N, atomic number 7]
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:
46 Moby Thesaurus words for "nitrogen":
acetylene, ammonia, argon, asphyxiating gas, butane,
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, castor-bean meal, chlorine,
coal gas, commercial fertilizer, compost, dressing, dung,
enrichener, ethane, ether, ethylene, fertilizer, fluorine,
formaldehyde, guano, helium, hydrogen, illuminating gas, krypton,
lewisite, manure, marsh gas, methane, muck, mustard gas,
natural gas, neon, night soil, nitrate, organic fertilizer, oxygen,
ozone, phosphate, poison gas, propane, radon, sewer gas,
superphosphate, xenon
The Elements (07Nov00):
nitrogen
Symbol: N
Atomic number: 7
Atomic weight: 14.0067
Colourless, gaseous element which belongs to group 15 of the periodic
table. Constitutes ~78% of the atmosphere and is an essential part of
the
ecosystem. Nitrogen for industrial purposes is acquired by the
fractional
distillation of liquid air. Chemically inactive, reactive generally only
at high temperatures or in electrical discharges. It was discovered in
1772 by D. Rutherford.