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English

Etymology

From Middle French nitreux, and its source, Latin nitrōsus (“nitrose”). Doublet of nitroso. By surface analysis, nitro- +‎ -ous.

Pronunciation

Adjective

nitrous (not comparable)

  1. (now historical) Pertaining to or composed of nitre; having the properties of nitre, bitter.
    • a. 1749 (date written), James Thomson, “Autumn”, in The Seasons, London: A Millar, and sold by Thomas Cadell, , published 1768, →OCLC:
      Whate'er the wintry Frost
      Nitrous prepar'd; the various-blossom'd Spring
      Put in white Promise forth; and Summer-Suns
      Concocted strong, rush boundless now to View .
  2. (chemistry) Of, relating to, or derived from nitrogen, especially in which the valence of the nitrogen is lower than that of a corresponding nitric species.
    • 2019, Bill Bryson, The Body: A Guide for Occupants, Black Swan (2020), pages 156–157:
      In fact, nitric oxide (not to be confused with nitrous oxide, or laughing gas) is one of our primary signalling molecules.
    • 2024 September 23, Trace William Cowen, “What the Hell Is Galaxy Gas?”, in Complex‎:
      On social media and beyond, many have taken to using the brand’s name in a more colloquial fashion, with “Galaxy Gas” being used as a catchall for nitrous oxide inhalants at large, regardless of whether they are actually Galaxy Gas products or not.
  3. (chemistry) Of or relating to nitrous acid or its derivatives.
  4. (mycology, biology) Having a sharp odor like ammonia or nitric acid.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

nitrous (uncountable)

  1. (dentistry, automotive, informal) Nitrous oxide.
  2. (automotive, informal) The system in some racing vehicles which pumps nitrous oxide into the engine to improve performance.
    • 2002, Mike Kojima, Honda/Acura Engine Performance: How to Modify D, B and H Series Honda/Acura Engines for Street and Drag Racing Performance, Penguin, →ISBN, page 111:
      When a shot this big is being run, it will also be necessary to pull 6-10 degrees of timing out when the nitrous is being run.
    • 2004, Simon Carless, Gaming Hacks, "O'Reilly Media, Inc.", →ISBN, page 320:
      To simulate nitrous, we will use a very simple approach: apply a large force to the back of the car when the nitrous is on.
    • 2013, David Vizard, David Vizard's How to Super Tune and Modify Holley Carburetors, CarTech Inc, →ISBN, page 74:
      When tested on a typical summer day, an engine with fuel fed by an annular discharge booster could be 10 hp less over a stepped dogleg booster, but 10 hp more when the nitrous is in operation.

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