Word
nitrous
Phoneticsni·trous
US/ˈnɪtɹəs/
UK/nˈaɪtɹəs/
Definition
adj. relating to a chemical compound made of nitrogen and oxygen. It is often used to describe a gas that makes things burn faster.
adj. relating to or containing nitrous oxide, a chemical compound consisting of two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Often used in technical contexts to describe the properties of this specific gas.
Examples
“The engine uses nitrous to increase its speed.”
“In racing, drivers often use nitrous oxide to provide a quick burst of power during a straightaway.”
“The chemical properties of nitrous oxide make it a popular choice for both medical anesthesia and high-performance automotive applications, though its environmental impact remains a subject of debate.”
Examples
simple
“The engine uses nitrous to increase its speed.”
contextual
“In racing, drivers often use nitrous oxide to provide a quick burst of power during a straightaway.”
complex
“The chemical properties of nitrous oxide make it a popular choice for both medical anesthesia and high-performance automotive applications, though its environmental impact remains a subject of debate.”
Real-World Examples
“Legume residues may supply nitrogen but can increase nitrous oxide emissions as they decompose.” “This nitrous oxide could help Earth hold onto heat.” Etymology
From Middle French nitreux, and its source, Latin nitrōsus (“nitrose”). Doublet of nitroso. By surface analysis, nitro- + -ous.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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englishreference.com/q/nitrous