cyanogen

[sahy-an-uh-juh n, -jen] /saɪˈæn ə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn/
noun
1.
a colorless, poisonous, flammable, water-soluble gas, C 2 N 2 , having an almondlike odor: used chiefly in organic synthesis.
Origin
1820-30; cyano-1 + -gen
Examples from the web for cyanogen
  • Chlorination of water contaminated with cyanide produces the compound cyanogen chloride.
  • During water chlorination, cyanogen chloride may be produced at low levels.
British Dictionary definitions for cyanogen

cyanogen

/saɪˈænədʒɪn/
noun
1.
an extremely poisonous colourless flammable gas with an almond-like odour: has been used in chemical warfare. Formula: (CN)2
Word Origin
C19: from French cyanogène; see cyano-, -gen; so named because it is one of the constituents of Prussian blue