n. Chem. a colourless tasteless odourless gaseous element that forms four-fifths of the atmosphere and is an essential constituent of proteins and nucleic acids.
Usage:
Symb.: N.
Phrases and idioms:
nitrogen cycle the interconversion of nitrogen and its compounds, usu. in the form of nitrates, in nature. nitrogen fixation a chemical process in which atmospheric nitrogen is assimilated into organic compounds in living organisms and hence into the nitrogen cycle.
Derivatives:
nitrogenous adj.
Etymology: F nitrog{egrave}ne (as NITRO-, -GEN)