Nitric \Ni"tric\, a. [Cf. F. nitrique. See Niter.] (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or containing, nitrogen; specifically,
designating any one of those compounds in which, as
contrasted with nitrous compounds, the element has a higher
valence; as, nitric oxide; nitric acid.
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Nitric acid, a colorless or yellowish liquid obtained by
distilling a nitrate with sulphuric acid. It is powerfully
corrosive, being a strong acid, and in decomposition a
strong oxidizer.
Nitric anhydride, a white crystalline oxide of nitrogen
(N2O5), called nitric pentoxide, and regarded as the
anhydride of nitric acid.
Nitric oxide, a colorless poisous gas (NO) obtained by
treating nitric acid with copper. On contact with the air
or with oxygen, it becomes reddish brown from the
formation of nitrogen dioxide (NO2, also called nitric
dioxide or nitric peroxide).
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Nitrite \Ni"trite\, n. [Cf. F. nitrite. See Niter.] (Chem.)
A salt or ester of nitrous acid; a compound bearing the
-NO2 radical.
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Amyl nitrite, a yellow oily volatile liquid, used in
medicine as a depressant and a vaso-dilator. Its
inhalation produces an instantaneous flushing of the face.
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nitro- \ni"tro-\pref.
1. A combining form or an adjective denoting the presence of
niter.
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2. (Chem.) A combining form (used also adjectively)
designating certain compounds of nitrogen or of its acids;
as nitrohydrochloric, nitrocalcite; also, designating the
group or radical NO2, or its compounds, as nitrobenzene
(C6H5.NO2).
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Nitro group, the radical NO2; -- called also nitroxyl.
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