nitric acid

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless or yellowish, fuming, suffocating, caustic, corrosive, water-soluble liquid, HNO 3 , having powerful oxidizing properties, usually obtained from ammonia or from Chile saltpeter: used chiefly in the manufacture of explosives and fertilizers and in organic synthesis.

nitric acid

noun

1. a colourless or yellowish fuming corrosive liquid usually used in aqueous solution. It is an oxidizing agent and a strong monobasic acid: important in the manufacture of fertilizers, explosives, and many other chemicals. Formula: HNO 3 Former nameaqua fortis

nitric acid

1. A clear, colorless to yellow liquid that is very corrosive and can dissolve most metals. It is used to make fertilizers, explosives, dyes, and rocket fuels. Chemical formula: HNO 3 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of nitric acid¹

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

There was intense and passionate resistance to these vaccine mandates, with some people going so far as to burn their arm with nitric acid to make it look like they had smallpox, which left a scar, the New York Times reports.

From Washington Post

After the rods cool below 80 °F, they are cut into smaller pieces before being placed in nitric acid and dissolved.

From MIT Technology Review

His results for ammonia, as well as nitric acid, are given in the subjoined table.

From Project Gutenberg

His results for the years 1855 and 1856 are given below, along with the quantities of nitric acid found at the same time.

From Project Gutenberg

Next lay the stencil in a small shallow dish and pour a small quantity of fresh nitric acid over it.

From Project Gutenberg

The anions of this group form silver salts, which are insoluble in nitric acid.

From Project Gutenberg

Barium nitrate, added to a solution acidified with nitric acid, is the group reagent.

From Project Gutenberg