nitrous Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective of or containing nitrogen
    azotic; nitric.
    • nitric acid

WordNet

Ni"trous adjective
Etymology
L. nitrosus full of natron: cf. F. nitreux. See Niter.
Definitions
  1. Of, pertaining to, or containing, niter; of the quality of niter, or resembling it.
  2. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, any one of those compounds in which nitrogen has a relatively lower valence as contrasted with nitric compounds.

Webster 1913