adj. of, like, or impregnated with nitrogen, esp. in the tervalent state.
Phrases and idioms:
nitrous acid a weak acid existing only in solution and in the gas phase.
Usage:
Chem. formula: HNO2 nitrous oxide a colourless gas used as an anaesthetic ( laughing-gas) and as an aerosol propellant.
Usage:
Chem. formula: N2O
Etymology: L nitrosus (as NITRE), partly through F nitreux