phosphorous acid

noun Chemistry.

a colorless, crystalline, water-soluble acid of phosphorus, H3PO3, from which phosphites are derived.

Origin of phosphorous acid

First recorded in 1785–95

Words nearby phosphorous acid

phosphorize, phosphoro-, phosphorolysis, phosphoroscope, phosphorous, phosphorous acid, phosphorus, phosphorus 32, phosphorus pentoxide, phosphorus sesquisulfide, phosphorus trichloride

British Dictionary definitions for phosphorous acid

phosphorous acid

noun

Also called: orthophosphorous acid a white or yellowish hygroscopic crystalline dibasic acid. Formula: H 3 PO 3 Systematic name: phosphoric acid
any oxyacid of phosphorus containing less oxygen than the corresponding phosphoric acid

Scientific definitions for phosphorous acid

phosphorous acid
[ fŏs′fər-əs, fŏs-fôr′əs ]

A white or yellowish crystalline solid used as a reducing agent. It is hygroscopic (easily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere). Chemical formula: H3PO3.