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cyanide

Syllabification: (cy·a·nide)
Pronunciation: /ˈsīəˌnīd/

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Definition of cyanide

noun

Chemistry
  • a salt or ester of hydrocyanic acid, containing the anion CN or the group CN. The salts are generally extremely toxic. Compare with nitrile.
  • sodium or potassium cyanide used as a poison or in the extraction of gold and silver.

Origin:

early 19th century: from cyanogen + -ide

cyanide in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of cyanide in the British & World English dictionary