| nitrous | 1. Of, pertaining to, or containing, niter; of the quality of niter, or resembling it. 2. <chemistry> Of, pertaining to, or designating, any one of those compounds in which nitrogen has a relatively lower valence as contrasted with nitric compounds. <chemistry> Nitrous acid, 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. Origin: L. Nitrosus full of natron: cf. F. Nitreux. See Niter. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| nitrous acid | <chemical> Nitrous acid (hno2). A weak acid that exists only in solution. It can form water-soluble nitrites and stable esters. Chemical name: Nitrous acid (12 Dec 1998) |
| nitrous oxide | <chemical> Nitrogen oxide (n2o). A colourless, odourless gas that is used as an anaesthetic and analgesic. High concentrations cause a narcotic effect and may replace oxygen, causing death by asphyxia. It is also used as a food aerosol in the preparation of whipping cream. Pharmacological action: aerosol propellants, analgesics, non-narcotic, anaesthetics, inhalation. Chemical name: Nitrogen oxide (N2O) (12 Dec 1998) |