adjective
or sul·phu·rous ˈsəlf(y)ərəs, in sense 1 also |səl|fyu̇r-
Etymology: Latin sulfurosus, sulphurosus, from sulfur, sulphur sulfur + -osus -ose
1. : of, relating to, or containing sulfur : resembling or emanating from sulfur especially when burning : sulfureous
sulfurous gases
— used especially of compounds in which this element has a lower valence as contrasted with the sulfuric compounds
2. usually sulphurous
a. : of, relating to, or characterized by thunder : sultry
sulphurous atmosphere
b. : of or heavy with the smoke of gunpowder
sulphurous fumes
c. : of, relating to, or dealing with hellfire : infernal
the sulphurous pit — Shakespeare
sulphurous sermons
d. : scorching , scathing , virulent , vitriolic
sulphurous denunciations
e. : highly profane : blasphemous
sulphurous language
• sul·fu·rous·ly adverb
• sul·fu·rous·ness noun -es