osmium tetroxide
noun Chemistry.
a crystalline or amorphous, colorless, poisonous compound, OsO4, soluble in water, alcohol, and ether: used for microscopic staining, in photography, and as a catalyst in organic synthesis.
Also called
osmic acid.
Origin of osmium tetroxide
First recorded in 1875–80
Words nearby osmium tetroxide
osmidrosis,
osmiophilic,
osmious,
osmiridium,
osmium,
osmium tetroxide,
osmo-,
osmolality,
osmolarity,
osmole,
osmometer
British Dictionary definitions for osmic acid
osmium tetroxide
noun
a yellowish poisonous water-soluble crystalline substance with a penetrating odour, used as a reagent and catalyst in organic synthesis. Formula: OsO 4
Medical definitions for osmic acid
osmic acid
[ ŏz′mĭk ]
n.
A crystalline oxide of osmium that is a volatile caustic and strong oxidizing agent, the aqueous solution of which is used as a stain for fat and myelin and as a general fixative for electron microscopy.