nitrous

/'naitrəs/

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Word: Nitrous

Part of Speech: Adjective

Basic Definition: The word "nitrous" is used to describe something that contains nitrogen, especially in a specific chemical form. It is often associated with nitrous oxide, a gas that has various uses.

Usage Instructions:

• "Nitrous" is mainly used in scientific or technical contexts.
• It is often used to describe gases or compounds that include nitrogen.

Example Sentence:

• "The dentist used a nitrous oxide gas to help relax the patient during the procedure."

Advanced Usage:

In chemistry, "nitrous" can refer to compounds like nitrous acid (HNO2) or nitrous oxide (N2O), which has applications in medicine, automotive performance, and even as a propellant in whipped cream dispensers.

Word Variants:

• Nitrogen (the base element): A colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere.
• Nitric (related to nitric acid): Refers to compounds containing nitrogen in a higher oxidation state, often used in fertilizers and explosives.

Different Meanings:

• Nitrous Oxide (N2O): A colorless gas often used as an anesthetic in dentistry and as a propellant in food products.
• Nitrous Acid (HNO2): A weak acid used in chemical reactions, but it is not commonly found in everyday situations.

Synonyms:

• Nitrogenous (though this can refer more broadly to compounds containing nitrogen).
• Laughing gas (specifically refers to nitrous oxide).

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that include the word "nitrous," as it is a more technical term. However, in contexts where you might refer to "laughing gas," you could say someone is "under the influence of laughing gas," meaning they are feeling relaxed or euphoric due to the effects of nitrous oxide.

Summary:

In summary, "nitrous" is an adjective that describes substances containing nitrogen, particularly in a chemical context.

Academic

Adjective

1. of or containing nitrogen
   • nitric acid

Synonyms

• azotic
• nitric