noun
1.
a. : a colorless unstable oily thio acid C 2 H 5 OCSSH obtained in the form of its potassium salt by reaction of potassium ethoxide with carbon disulfide; O -ethyl dithio-carbonate
b. : any of a series of analogous unstable thio acids ROCSSH obtained in the form of their salts by reaction of alkoxides with carbon disulfide : an O -ester of dithio-carbonic acid
methyl xanthic acid CH 3 OCSSH
2. : a hypothetical thio acid HOCSSH whose O -esters are the xanthic acids : dithio-carbonic acid