cyanamide

[ sahy-an-uh-mid, -mahyd, sahy-uh-nam-ahyd, -id ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, unstable, deliquescent solid, CH 2 N 2 , usually produced by the action of ammonia on cyanogen chloride or by the action of sulfuric acid on calcium cyanamide.
2. (not in technical use) calcium cyanamide.

cyanamide

/ saɪˈænəˌmaɪd; -mɪd; saɪˈænəmɪd /

noun

1. Also calledcyanogenamideˌsaɪənəʊˈdʒɛnəˌmaɪd-mɪd a white or colourless crystalline soluble weak dibasic acid, which can be hydrolysed to urea. Formula: H 2 NCN
2. a salt or ester of cyanamide
3. short for calcium cyanamide

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyanamide¹

First recorded in 1830–40; cyan- ² + amide

Example Sentences

They started with phosphate and four simple carbon-based chemicals, including a cyanide salt called cyanamide.

From Scientific American

Thus when calcium carbide is heated and brought into contact with nitrogen one atom of carbon is given up and two atoms of nitrogen take its place, resulting in the production of cyanamide.

From Project Gutenberg