hydrogencyanide
nounUK /ˌhaɪdrədʒən ˈsaɪənaɪd/
US /ˌhaɪdrədʒən ˈsaɪənaɪd/
A very dangerous poison that is a gas or liquid and smells like bitter almonds.
Workers must wear special masks when handling hydrogencyanide.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A chemical compound used in industry to make plastics and other products.
Hydrogen cyanide is used in the production of certain plastics.
3. A substance found in small amounts in some fruit seeds and cigarette smoke.
Tiny amounts of hydrogen cyanide can occur naturally in some fruit pits.
4. A chemical warfare agent that blocks the body from using oxygen.
Hydrogen cyanide was used as a poison gas in wartime.