prussic acid

noun

, Chemistry.

1. hydrocyanic acid.

prussic acid

/ ˈprʌsɪk /

noun

1. the weakly acidic extremely poisonous aqueous solution of hydrogen cyanide

prussic acid

/ prŭs′ĭk /

1. See hydrocyanic acid

Word History and Origins

Origin of prussic acid¹

1780–90; translation of French acide prussique (equivalent to Prusse Prussia + -ique -ic ); so called because it was first obtained by heating Prussian blue with sulfuric acid

Word History and Origins

Origin of prussic acid¹

C18: from French acide prussique Prussian acid, so called because obtained from Prussian blue

Example Sentences

The celebrated author just barely outlived his acquaintance Polidori, who committed suicide in 1821 by swallowing prussic acid.

From The Daily Beast

Exposed to oxygen, the pellets gave off prussic acid, blocking the exchange of oxygen in the blood.

From The Daily Beast

So let us pity the poor vial of prussic acid dashed down so suddenly, and by so noble a hand, whom mortals call Marat.

From Project Gutenberg

A weapon with the smallest point covered with the matter kills as instantaneously as prussic acid.

From Project Gutenberg

One of his contemporaries said of him that he sometimes mistook his vial of prussic acid for his ink-pot.

From Project Gutenberg

The autopsy revealed the mere fact that Mr. Blair was poisoned by prussic acid, taken into the stomach.

From Project Gutenberg

The cyanide present as hydrogen cyanide or prussic acid (HCy) is practically useless as a gold solvent.

From Project Gutenberg