phosphorous acid


nounChemistry.
  1. a colorless, crystalline, water-soluble acid of phosphorus, H3PO3, from which phosphites are derived.

Origin of phosphorous acid

1
First recorded in 1785–95

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How to use phosphorous acid in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for phosphorous acid

phosphorous acid

noun
  1. Also called: orthophosphorous acid a white or yellowish hygroscopic crystalline dibasic acid. Formula: H 3 PO 3: Systematic name: phosphoric acid

  2. any oxyacid of phosphorus containing less oxygen than the corresponding phosphoric acid

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Scientific definitions for phosphorous acid

phosphorous acid

[ fŏsfər-əs, fŏs-fôrəs ]


  1. A white or yellowish crystalline solid used as a reducing agent. It is hygroscopic (easily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere). Chemical formula: H3PO3.

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