phosphorous acid

noun

Chemistry.

a colorless, crystalline, water-soluble acid of phosphorus, H 3 PO 3 , from which phosphites are derived.

phosphorous acid

noun

Systematic name: phosphoric acid.��Also called: orthophosphorous acid.��a white or yellowish hygroscopic crystalline dibasic acid. Formula: H 3 PO 3
any oxyacid of phosphorus containing less oxygen than the corresponding phosphoric acid

phosphorous acid

A white or yellowish crystalline solid used as a reducing agent. It is hygroscopic (easily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere). Chemical formula: H ₃ PO ₃ .

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphorous acid¹

First recorded in 1785–95

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The white fumes of phosphorous acid floated out into the air, and began to diffuse themselves through the hall towards the ventilation outlets at the sides and rear.

From

I distilled two parts of finely pulverised manganese with one part of the phosphorous acid of urine in the same way as is indicated in the preceding paragraph, I likewise obtained fire-air.

From

The important acids of phosphorus are the following: H3PO3 phosphorous acid.

From

Bodies absorbing oxygen, as sulphurous acid, phosphorous acid, and alcohols, decolorize it; under the influence of oxygen its color is restored.

From

phosphorous phosphorus

Browse