1.
[syn: nitrile, nitril, cyanide]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Nitrile \Ni"trile\ (? or ?), n. [See Nitro-.] (Chem.)
Any one of a series of compounds bearing the cyanide radical
(-CN); particularly, one of those cyanides of alcohol
radicals which, by boiling with acids or alkalies, produce a
carboxyl acid, with the elimination of the nitrogen as
ammonia.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The nitriles are named with reference to the acids
produced by their decomposition, thus, hydrocyanic acid
is formic nitrile, methyl cyanide is acetonitrile
(also acetic nitrile), and ethyl cyanide is
propionitrile (from propionic acid).
[1913 Webster +PJC]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
nitrile
n 1: any of a class of organic compounds containing the cyano
radical -CN [syn: nitrile, nitril, cyanide]