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nitrogen

(nī′trə jən)

noun

a colorless, tasteless, odorless, gaseous chemical element forming nearly four fifths of the atmosphere: it is a component of all proteins and nucleic acids: symbol, N; at. no., 7

Origin: Fr nitrogène: so named (1790) by J. A. Chaptal (1756-1832), Fr chemist < Gr nitron (see niter) + Fr -gène, -gen, because niter resulted when it was sparked with oxygen in the presence of caustic potash

See nitrogen in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun Symbol N

A nonmetallic element that constitutes nearly four-fifths of the air by volume, occurring as a colorless, odorless, almost inert diatomic gas, N₂, in various minerals and in all proteins and used in a wide variety of important manufactures, including ammonia, nitric acid, TNT, and fertilizers. Atomic number 7; atomic weight 14.0067; melting point -209.86°C; boiling point -195.8°C; valence 3, 5. See Table at element.

Origin:

Origin: French nitrogène

Origin: : nitro-, nitric acid (from New Latin; see nitro-)

Origin: + -gène, -gen

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