nitrous

Relating to or containing nitrogen, especially in a valence state lower than that in a comparable nitric compound.

In chem., of, pertaining to, or derived from niter: applied to an oxygen compound which contains less oxygen than those in which the epithet nitric is used: thus, nitrous oxid (N₂O), nitric oxid (N₂O₂); nitrous acid (HNO₂), nitric acid (HNO₃), etc.

Of, pertaining to, or containing, niter; of the quality of niter, or resembling it.

Of, pertaining to, or designating, any one of those compounds in which nitrogen has a relatively lower valence as contrasted with nitric compounds.

a hypothetical acid of nitrogen HNO2, not known in the free state, but forming a well known series of salts, viz., the nitrites.

See Laughing gas.

of, relating to, or derived from nitrogen, especially in which the valence of the nitrogen is lower than that of a corresponding nitric species

of, or relating to nitrous acid or its derivatives

having a sharp odor like ammonia or nitric acid

Nitrous oxide.