Category:Nitrous

Ni"trous, a. Etym: [l. nitrosus full of natron: cf. F. nitreux. See Niter.]

1. Of, pertaining to, or containing, niter; of the quality of niter, Or resembling it.

2. (chem.)

Defn: of, pertaining to, or designating, any one of those compounds In which nitrogen has a relatively lower valence as contrasted with Nitric compounds. Nitrous acid (chem.), a hypothetical acid of Nitrogen hno2, not known in the free state, but forming a well known Series of salts, viz., the nitrites. -- nitrous oxide. See laughing gas.