sulfite

[ suhl-fahyt ]
/ ˈsʌl faɪt /

noun Chemistry.

a salt or ester of sulfurous acid.
any sulfite-containing compound, especially one that is used in foods or drug products as a preservative and that can cause severe allergic reactions in susceptible individuals: use in fresh fruits and vegetables banned by the FDA in 1986.

Origin of sulfite

First recorded in 1780–90; sulf(ur) + -ite1

OTHER WORDS FROM sulfite

sul·fit·ic [suhl-fit-ik] /sʌlˈfɪt ɪk/, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for sulfite

Medical definitions for sulfite

sulfite
[ sŭlfīt′ ]

n.

A salt or ester of sulfurous acid.

Other words from sulfite

sul•fitic (-fĭtĭk) adj.

Scientific definitions for sulfite

sulfite
[ sŭlfīt′ ]

A salt or ester of sulfurous acid, containing the group SO3.