: a toxic yellow crystalline phenol derivative C6H3N3O7 structurally similar to TNT and used especially as a high explosive and as a dye or mordant
Examples of picric acid in a Sentence
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City officials have not released the names of the specific chemicals found within the residence, besides picric acid − which can be highly explosive − and TNT.
—
Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 14 Aug. 2023
The Mont-Blanc was packed full of TNT, picric acid, gun cotton and aircraft fuel.
—Stephen Maher, chicagotribune.com, 21 Dec. 2017
Experiments with a compound called TNP (2,4,6-trinitrophenol, also known as picric acid), which researchers often use to study obesity and diabetes, show that in mice the therapy can promote the formation of new bone.
—Giorgia Guglielmi, Science | AAAS, 8 Sep. 2017
Mustard gas, picric acid, and TNT—all organic molecules—made for unimaginably destructive weapons.
—Rebecca Altman, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2017
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Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 14 Aug. 2023
The Mont-Blanc was packed full of TNT, picric acid, gun cotton and aircraft fuel.
—Stephen Maher, chicagotribune.com, 21 Dec. 2017
Experiments with a compound called TNP (2,4,6-trinitrophenol, also known as picric acid), which researchers often use to study obesity and diabetes, show that in mice the therapy can promote the formation of new bone.
—Giorgia Guglielmi, Science | AAAS, 8 Sep. 2017
Mustard gas, picric acid, and TNT—all organic molecules—made for unimaginably destructive weapons.
—Rebecca Altman, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2017
Dictionary Entries Near picric acid
Cite this Entry
“Picric acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/picric%20acid. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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picric acid
noun
pic·ric acid
ˌpik-rik- 
: a bitter toxic explosive yellow crystalline strong acid C6H3N3O7 used especially as a dye or biological stain, as an antiseptic, and as a precipitant for organic bases and polycyclic hydrocarbons
called also trinitrophenol
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