nitrous

[ nahy-truh s ]
/ ˈnaɪ trəs /

adjective Chemistry.

pertaining to compounds obtained from niter, usually containing less oxygen than the corresponding nitric compounds.
containing nitrogen, usually in the trivalent state.

Origin of nitrous

First recorded in 1595–1605, nitrous is from the Latin word nitrōsus full of natron. See nitroso-

OTHER WORDS FROM nitrous

non·ni·trous, adjective

Words nearby nitrous

nitrosourea, nitrostarch, nitrosyl, nitrosylsulfuric, nitrosylsulfuric acid, nitrous, nitrous acid, nitrous bacteria, nitrous ether, nitrous oxide, nitroxanthic acid

Example sentences from the Web for nitrous

British Dictionary definitions for nitrous

nitrous
/ (ˈnaɪtrəs) /

adjective

of, derived from, or containing nitrogen, esp in a low valency state

Word Origin for nitrous

C17: from Latin nitrōsus full of natron see nitre

Medical definitions for nitrous

nitrous
[ nī′trəs ]

adj.

Of, derived from, or containing nitrogen, especially in a valence state lower than that in a comparable nitric compound.

Scientific definitions for nitrous

nitrous
[ nī′trəs ]

Containing nitrogen, especially nitrogen with a valence of 3. Compare nitric.