acetonitrile

[ as-i-toh-nahy-tril, -treel, uh-see-toh- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, poisonous, water-soluble liquid, C 2 H 3 N, having an etherlike odor: used chiefly in organic synthesis and as a solvent.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acetonitrile¹

First recorded in 1865–70; aceto- + nitrile

Example Sentences

These experiments with alcohol and acetonitrile are of interest in another connection.

From Project Gutenberg

After a little more than a month of this diet 0.2 milligram acetonitrile per gram body weight proved fatal.

From Project Gutenberg