a colorless, fuming acid, HNO, that is highly corrosive: prepared by the action of sulfuric acid on nitrates and by the oxidation of ammonia
See nitric acid in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A transparent, colorless to yellowish, fuming corrosive liquid, HNO3, a highly reactive oxidizing agent used in the production of fertilizers, explosives, and rocket fuels and in a wide variety of industrial metallurgical processes. Also called aqua fortis.