nitro-

1.
a combining form used in the names of chemical compounds in which the nitro group is present:
nitroglycerin.
Also, especially before a vowel, nitr-.
Origin
combining form of Greek nítron. See niter
British Dictionary definitions for nitro-

nitro-

combining form
1.
indicating that a chemical compound contains a nitro group, -NO2: nitrobenzene
2.
indicating that a chemical compound is a nitrate ester: nitrocellulose
Word Origin
from Greek nitronnatron
Word Origin and History for nitro-

before vowels nitr-, word-forming element used scientifically and indicating "nitrogen, nitrate" or "nitric acid," from comb. form of Greek nitron (see nitre).

nitro- in Medicine

nitro- or nitr-
pref.

  1. Nitrate; nitrogen: nitrogenase.

  2. Containing the univalent radical NO2: nitrous.