osmium tetroxide

noun

: a crystalline compound OsO4 that is an oxide of osmium, has a poisonous irritating vapor, and is used as a catalyst, oxidizing agent, and biological fixative and stain

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of osmium tetroxide was in 1869

Dictionary Entries Near osmium tetroxide

osmium oxide

osmium tetroxide

osmo-

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Cite this Entry

“Osmium tetroxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/osmium%20tetroxide. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

osmium tetroxide

noun
: a crystalline compound OsO4 that is an oxide of osmium, has a poisonous irritating vapor, and is used chiefly as a catalyst, as an oxidizing and hydroxylating agent (as in the conversion of alkenes to glycols), and as a biological fixative and stain (as for fatty substances in cytology)

called also osmic acid

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