hydrocyanic acid

noun

hy·​dro·​cy·​an·​ic acid ˌhī-drō-sī-ˈa-nik- How to pronounce hydrocyanic acid (audio)
: an aqueous solution of hydrogen cyanide HCN that is a poisonous weak acid and is used chiefly in fumigating and in organic synthesis

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrocyanic acid was in 1816

Dictionary Entries Near hydrocyanic acid

Hydroctena

hydrocyanic acid

hydrocyanide

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Cite this Entry

“Hydrocyanic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrocyanic%20acid. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

hydrocyanic acid

noun
hy·​dro·​cy·​an·​ic acid ˌhī-drō-sī-ˌan-ik- How to pronounce hydrocyanic acid (audio)
: an aqueous solution of hydrogen cyanide HCN that is an extremely poisonous weak acid used especially in fumigating

called also prussic acid

More from Merriam-Webster on hydrocyanic acid

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hydrocyanic acid

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