| hydrocyanic | <chemistry> Pertaining to, or derived from the combination of, hydrogen and cyanogen. <chemistry> Hydrocyanic acid, a colourless, mobile, volatile liquid, HCN, having a characteristic peach-blossom odour. It is one of the most deadly poisons. It is made by the action of sulphuric acid on yellow prussiate of potassium (potassium ferrocyanide), and chemically resembles hydrochloric and hydrobromic acids. Synonym: prussic acid, hydrogen cyanide, etc. Origin: Hydro-, 2 + anic: cf. F. Hydrocyanique. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| hydrocyanic acid | HCN;a colourless, very toxic liquid, with the odour of bitter almonds, present in bitter almonds (amygdalin), the stones of peaches, plums and other fruits, and laurel leaves; inhalation of 300 p.p.m. Causes death. Synonym: hydrogen cyanide, prussic acid. (05 Mar 2000) |