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nitrogen definition

ni·tro·gen (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

Etymology: 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

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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