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Webster 1913 Edition


Sulphuric

Sul-phu′ric

,
Adj.
[Cf. F.
sulfurique
.]
1.
Of or pertaining to sulphur;
as, a
sulphuric
smell
.
2.
(Chem.)
Derived from, or containing, sulphur; specifically, designating those compounds in which the element has a higher valence as contrasted with the sulphurous compounds;
as,
sulphuric
acid
.
Sulphuric acid
.
(a)
Sulphur trioxide (see under
Sulphur
); – formerly so called on the dualistic theory of salts.
[Obs.]
(b)
A heavy, corrosive, oily liquid,
H2SO4
, colorless when pure, but usually yellowish or brownish, produced by the combined action of sulphur dioxide, oxygen (from the air), steam, and nitric fumes. It attacks and dissolves many metals and other intractable substances, sets free most acids from their salts, and is used in the manufacture of hydrochloric and nitric acids, of soda, of bleaching powders, etc. It is also powerful dehydrating agent, having a strong affinity for water, and eating and corroding paper, wood, clothing, etc. It is thus used in the manufacture of ether, of imitation parchment, and of nitroglycerin. It is also used in etching iron, in removing iron scale from forgings, in petroleum refining, etc., and in general its manufacture is the most important and fundamental of all the chemical industries. Formerly called
vitriolic acid
, and now popularly
vitriol
, and
oil of vitriol
.
Fuming sulphuric acid
, or
Nordhausen sulphuric acid
.
See
Disulphuric acid
, under
Disulphuric
.
Sulphuric anhydride
,
sulphur trioxide. See under
Sulphur
.
Sulphuric ether
,
common anaesthetic ether; – so called because made by the catalytic action of sulphuric acid on alcohol. See
Ether
, 3
(a)
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Sulphuric

SUL'PHURIC

,
Adj.
Pertaining to sulphur; more strictly, designating an acid formed by sulphur saturated with oxygen; as sulphuric acid, formerly called vitriolic acid, or oil of vitrol.

Definition 2024


sulphuric

sulphuric

English

Adjective

sulphuric (not comparable)

  1. (chiefly British) Alternative spelling of sulfuric

Derived terms