Word Study
picric
CIDE DICTIONARY
picric, a. [Gr. bitter.].
Pertaining to, or designating, a strong organic acid (called picric acid), intensely bitter. [1913 Webster]
" Picric acid is obtained by treating phenol with strong nitric acid, as a brilliant yellow crystalline substance, C6H2(NO2)3.OH . It is used in dyeing silk and wool, and also in the manufacture of explosives, as it is very unstable when heated. Called also trinitrophenol , and formerly carbazotic acid ."
[1913 Webster]
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