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cyanide definition

cya·nide (sī′ə nīd′, -nid′)

noun

a substance composed of a cyanogen group in combination with some element or radical; esp., potassium cyanide, KCN, or sodium cyanide, NaCN, extremely poisonous, white, crystalline compounds with an odor of bitter almonds: used in extracting gold from low-grade ores, electroplating, etc.

Etymology: cyan(o)- + -ide

transitive verb cyanided -·nid′ed, cyaniding -·nid′·ing

to treat with cyanide

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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