nitrous acid
NounSynonyms:
nitrous acid
WordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- an unstable inorganic acid known only in solution and as nitrite saltsSynonyms: nitrous acid
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Nitrous \Ni"trous\, a. [L. nitrosus full of natron: cf. F. nitreux. See Niter.]
1.Of, pertaining to, or containing, niter; of the quality of niter, or resembling it. [1913 Webster]
2.(Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, any one of those compounds in which nitrogen has a relatively lower valence as contrasted with nitric compounds. [1913 Webster]
Nitrous acid (Chem.), a hypothetical acid of nitrogen HNO2, not known in the free state, but forming a well known series of salts, viz., the nitrites.
Nitrous oxide. See Laughing gas. [1913 Webster]