cyanide

[ sahy-uh-nahyd, -nid ]

noun

1. Also cy·a·nid [] Chemistry.
   1. a salt of hydrocyanic acid, as potassium cyanide, KCN.
   2. a nitrile, as methyl cyanide, C 2 H 3 N.

verb (used with object)

, cy·a·nid·ed, cy·a·nid·ing.

1. to treat with a cyanide, as an ore in order to extract gold.

cyanide

/ ˈsaɪəˌnaɪd; ˈsaɪənɪd /

noun

1. any salt of hydrocyanic acid. Cyanides contain the ion CN ^–and are extremely poisonous
2. another name (not in technical usage) for nitrile

cyanide

/ sī′ə-nīd′ /

1. Any of a large group of chemical compounds containing the radical CN, especially the very poisonous salts sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide. Cyanides are used to make plastics and to extract and treat metals.

Derived Forms

• ˌcyaniˈdation, noun

Other Words From

• sub·cya·nid noun
• sub·cya·nide noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyanide¹

1820–30; cyan- ³ + -ide ( def )

Example Sentences

During the washing process, various chemicals, including mercury and cyanide, are used to help extract the gold from the soil, polluting big and small rivers.

From BBC

Supervisor Nora Vargas’ office said in an email that “there is no imminent threat to public health from hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen sulfide.”

From Los Angeles Times

They accessed public health documents that stated firefighters found hydrogen cyanide in their home, but no carbon monoxide.

From BBC

"If there is a silver lining, it's that cyanide breaks down naturally quite quickly over a course of days."

From BBC

Sodium cyanide dissolves in water and can have serious adverse health effects if people or pets come into direct contact with it, the council advised.

From BBC