The Collaborative International Dictionary
HNO2
Nitrous \Ni"trous\, a. [L. nitrosus full of natron: cf. F. nitreux. See Niter.]
Of, pertaining to, or containing, niter; of the quality of niter, or resembling it.
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(Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, any one of those compounds in which nitrogen has a relatively lower valence as contrasted with nitric compounds.
Nitrous acid (Chem.), a hypothetical acid of nitrogen HNO2, not known in the free state, but forming a well known series of salts, viz., the nitrites.
Nitrous oxide. See Laughing gas.