cyanic acid

noun

, Chemistry.

1. an unstable, poisonous, liquid acid, HOCN, isomeric with fulminic acid.

cyanic acid

/ saɪˈænɪk /

noun

1. See fulminic acid, isocyanic acid
   a colourless poisonous volatile liquid acid that hydrolyses readily to ammonia and carbon dioxide. Formula: HOCN Compare isocyanic acid fulminic acid

cyanic acid

/ sī-ăn′ĭk /

1. A poisonous, unstable, and highly volatile organic acid used to prepare cyanates. Chemical formula: HOCN.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyanic acid¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Sayre also suggests the possibility of the plants producing hydro-cyanic acid, which, it is well known, occurs in sorghum.

From Project Gutenberg

The doctor looked grave when Mr. Skeats told him the boys had been breathing hydro-cyanic acid gas.

From Project Gutenberg

A hot solution of potassic cyanide, mixed with picric acid, assumes a blood-red colour, due to the formation of picro-cyanic acid.

From Project Gutenberg

By distillation this new substance is reconverted into cyanic acid.

From Project Gutenberg

A salt in which the hydrogen of cyanic acid is replaced by a metal or other basic radical.

From Project Gutenberg