nitrous adjective. ['nʌɪtrǝs] E17.
[from NITRE noun + -OUS.]
Orig., pertaining to, of the nature of, or containing nitre. Now usu. spec., (Chemistry), of or containing nitrogen, esp. in a state of low valency. Cf. NITRIC.
nitrous acid a weak acid, HNO₂, the parent acid of nitrites, which occurs as a pale blue aqueous solution. nitrous air, nitrous gas a mixture of oxides of nitrogen, obtained by the action of nitric acid on most metals in air. nitrous oxide a colourless gas, N₂O, with a faint sweetish odour and taste, which when inhaled produces exhilaration or anaesthesia; also called laughing gas.

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