aqua regia

[ ree-jee-uh ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a yellow, fuming liquid composed of one part nitric acid and three to four parts hydrochloric acid: used chiefly to dissolve metals as gold, platinum, or the like.

aqua regia

/ ˈriːdʒɪə /

noun

1. a yellow fuming corrosive mixture of one part nitric acid and three to four parts hydrochloric acid, used in metallurgy for dissolving metals, including gold Also callednitrohydrochloric acid

aqua regia

/ rē′jē-ə,rē′jə /

1. A corrosive, fuming, volatile mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids. Aqua regia is used for testing metals and dissolving platinum and gold.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aqua regia¹

1600–10; < New Latin: literally, royal water

Word History and Origins

Origin of aqua regia¹

C17: from New Latin: royal water; referring to its use in dissolving gold, the royal metal

Example Sentences

They are moving away from using nitric acid to purify gold, instead switching to Aqua Regia, which is less polluting.

From BBC

His descriptions show off a horrifying landscape: Everything was shrouded in a leaden miasma, an amalgamation of the white mist generated by the boiling aqua regia in the acid baths and the black smoke from the unceasing burning of PVC, insulation, and circuit boards in the fields and on the shore of the river.

From The Verge

But Aureliano spent the money on muriatic add to prepare some aqua regia and he beautified the keys by plating them with gold.

From Literature

As German troops marched in the streets of Copenhagen, chemist George de Hevesy stashed the medals in aqua regia, an acid strong enough to dissolve gold.

From National Geographic

Titled “Aqua Regia” after the acid mixture used to dissolve gold, this show of sleek, cheeky, stylish works concentrates the paradox.

From Los Angeles Times