sulfite

[suhl-fahyt] /ˈsʌl faɪt/
noun, Chemistry
1.
a salt or ester of sulfurous acid.
2.
any sulfite-containing compound, especially one that is used in foods or drug products as a preservative and that can cause severe allergic reactions in susceptible individuals: use in fresh fruits and vegetables banned by the FDA in 1986.
Origin
1780-90; sulf(ur) + -ite1
Related forms
sulfitic
[suhl-fit-ik] /sʌlˈfɪt ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective
Examples from the web for sulfite
  • In such instances, the sulfite notice will be the only difference in the two labels.
  • After developing, the film needed to be rinsed in sodium sulfite, washed in water and hung up to dry.
  • Experts believe the reports represent only a small segment of the sulfite sensitivity situation.
sulfite in Medicine

sulfite sul·fite (sŭl'fīt')
n.
A salt or an ester of sulfurous acid.

sul·fit'ic (-fĭt'ĭk) adj.
sulfite in Science
sulfite
  (sŭl'fīt')   
A salt or ester of sulfurous acid, containing the group SO3.