nitrous acid

noun

, Chemistry.

1. an acid, HNO 2 , known only in solution.

nitrous acid

noun

1. a weak monobasic acid known only in solution and in the form of nitrite salts. Formula: HNO 2 Systematic namedioxonitric(III) acid

nitrous acid

1. A weak inorganic acid existing only in solution or in the form of its salts. It can act either as an oxidizing agent or as a reducing agent. Chemical formula: HNO 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of nitrous acid¹

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

“Usually one thinks about pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and nitrous acid as being lost from the atmosphere onto surfaces.”

From Scientific American

When intense, as they are at present, they produce ozone in great quantity, and also, as Professor Crookes has pointed out, nitrous acid.

From Project Gutenberg

Nitric and nitrous acids are also produced by electric discharges through the atmosphere, and these are found eventually as nitrates in soils, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

The nitrous acid dissolves copper with most rapidity, producing nitrous air.

From Project Gutenberg

There was still, however, the production of the volatile alkali and of nitrous acid to be accounted for.

From Project Gutenberg