nitric acid

noun, Chemistry

a colorless or yellowish, fuming, suffocating, caustic, corrosive, water-soluble liquid, HNO ₃ , having powerful oxidizing properties, usually obtained from ammonia or from Chile saltpeter: used chiefly in the manufacture of explosives and fertilizers and in organic synthesis.

Also called aqua fortis.

Origin

1785-95

Examples from the web for nitric acid

Nitrogen oxides react in the atmosphere to create nitric acid, which collects in clouds and water droplets and falls as acid rain.
Oxalic acid is made commercially by treating either sugar with nitric acid or cellulose with sodium hydroxide.
The use of a salting out agents such as ammonium nitrate in the case of an aqueous nitric acid solution is advantageous.

British Dictionary definitions for nitric acid

nitric acid

noun

a colourless or yellowish fuming corrosive liquid usually used in aqueous solution. It is an oxidizing agent and a strong monobasic acid: important in the manufacture of fertilizers, explosives, and many other chemicals. Formula: HNO3 Former name aqua fortis

nitric acid in Medicine

nitric acid ni·tric acid (nī'trĭk)
n.
A transparent, colorless to yellowish, fuming corrosive liquid that is a highly reactive oxidizing agent.

nitric acid in Science

nitric acid
A clear, colorless to yellow liquid that is very corrosive and can dissolve most metals. It is used to make fertilizers, explosives, dyes, and rocket fuels. Chemical formula: HNO₃.