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hydrogen cyanide
noun
1
: a poisonous usually gaseous compound HCN that has the odor of bitter almonds
2
Examples of hydrogen cyanide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some dragon millipedes, including a pink variety, are also capable of producing hydrogen cyanide, which is toxic and keeps predators away.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025
Some of the hazardous substances that may be present in the smoke are fire retardants, hydrogen chloride, bromine compounds and hydrogen cyanide—a fatally toxic chemical asphyxiant in high enough doses.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
In addition, heat from combustion causes some pesticides to degrade into harmful gases such as hydrogen cyanide.
—Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
Take, for example, the work done by Kurosawa, who showed that carbon-rich asteroids can react with atmospheric nitrogen to produce hydrogen cyanide — which is thought to be one of the most important chemical precursors to the origin of life.
—Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near hydrogen cyanide
Cite this Entry
“Hydrogen cyanide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrogen%20cyanide. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Medical Definition
hydrogen cyanide
noun1
: a poisonous usually gaseous compound HCN that has the odor of bitter almonds
2
More from Merriam-Webster on hydrogen cyanide
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hydrogen cyanide
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