nitro

An abbreviation of nitro-powder.

An element in some compounds, meaning ‘niter,’ and usually implying ‘nitrogen’ or ‘nitric acid’; specifically, as a prefix in chemical words, indicating the presence of the radical nitryl (NO₂) in certain compounds: as, nitro-aniline, nitr anisic acid, nitro -benzamide, nitro-benzoic acid.

It is also employed, very commonly but in regard to technical use incorrectly, as a part of the name of a compound which does not contain the radical nitryl (NO₂) with its nitrogen directly united to carbon. Thus nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose (guncotton) are not nitro-compounds in the technical sense of the term, but nitrates.

Nitroglycerin.

the univalent NO2 functional group

nitroglycerin, especially as medication

containing the nitro group; such compounds tend to be unstable and often explosive