[as-id] 
| 1. | Chemistry. a compound usually having a sour taste and capable of neutralizing alkalis and reddening blue litmus paper, containing hydrogen that can be replaced by a metal or an electropositive group to form a salt, or containing an atom that can accept a pair of electrons from a base. Acids are proton donors that yield hydronium ions in water solution, or electron-pair acceptors that combine with electron-pair donors or bases. |
| 2. | a substance with a sour taste. |
| 3. | something, as a remark or piece of writing, that is sharp, sour, or ill-natured: His criticism was pure acid. |
| 4. | Slang. LSD (def. 2). |
| 5. | Chemistry.
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| 6. | sharp or biting to the taste; tasting like vinegar; sour: acid fruits. |
| 7. | sharp, biting, or ill-natured in mood, manner, etc.: an acid remark; an acid wit. |
| 8. | Geology. containing much silica. |
| 9. | Metallurgy. noting, pertaining to, or made by a process in which the lining of the furnace, or the slag that is present, functions as an acid in high-temperature reactions in taking electrons from oxide ions: usually a siliceous material, as sand or ganister. Compare basic (def. 3). |
| 10. | put on the acid, Australian Slang. to importune someone, as for money, sexual favors, or confidential information. |
A sour-tasting material (usually in a solution) that dissolves metals and other materials. Technically, a material that produces positive ions in solution. An acid is the opposite of a base and has a pH of 0 to 7. A given amount of an acid added to the same amount of a base neutralizes the base, producing water and a salt. Common vinegar, for example, is a weak solution of acetic acid.
Note: Figuratively, acid applies to anything sour or biting; for example, an “acid wit” is sharp and unpleasant.
acid
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acid ac·id (ās'ĭd)
n.
Any of a large class of sour-tasting substances whose aqueous solutions are capable of turning blue litmus indicators red, of reacting with and dissolving certain metals to form salts, and of reacting with bases or alkalis to form salts.
A substance that ionizes in solution to give the positive ion of the solvent.
A substance capable of yielding hydrogen ions.
A proton donor.
An electron acceptor.
A molecule or ion that can combine with another by forming a covalent bond with two electrons of the other.
A substance having a sour taste.
See LSD.
Of or relating to an acid.
Having a high concentration of acid.
Having a sour taste.
| acid (ās'ĭd) Pronunciation Key
Any of a class of compounds that form hydrogen ions when dissolved in water, and whose aqueous solutions react with bases and certain metals to form salts. Acids turn blue litmus paper red and have a pH of less than 7. Their aqueous solutions have a sour taste. Compare base. acidic adjective |
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