Word Study
cyanogen
CIDE DICTIONARY
cyanogen, n. [Gr. ky`anos a dark blue substance + -gen: cf. F. cyanogène. So called because it produced blue dyes.].
A colorless, inflammable, poisonous gas, C2N2 , with a peach-blossom odor, so called from its tendency to form blue compounds; obtained by heating ammonium oxalate, mercuric cyanide, etc. It is obtained in combination, forming an alkaline cyanide when nitrogen or a nitrogenous compound is strongly ignited with carbon and soda or potash. It conducts itself like a member of the halogen group of elements, and shows a tendency to form complex compounds. The name is also applied to the univalent radical, CN (the half molecule of cyanogen proper), which was one of the first compound radicals recognized. [1913 Webster]
" Cyanogen is found in the commercial substances, potassium cyanide, or prussiate of potash, yellow prussiate of potash, Prussian blue, Turnbull's blue, prussic acid, etc." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
cyanogen, n. Chem. a colourless highly poisonous gas intermediate in the preparation of many fertilizers.
Usage
Chem. formula: C2N2
Etymology
F cyanog{egrave}ne f. Gk kuanos dark-blue mineral, as being a constituent of Prussian blue
ROGET THESAURUS
cyanogen
Blueness
N blueness, blue, garter-blue, watchet, ultramarine, smalt, cobalt, cyanogen, Prussian blue, syenite blue, bice, indigo, zaffer, lapis lazuli, sapphire, turquoise, indicolite, blueness, bluishness, bloom, blue, azure, cerulean, sky-blue, sky-colored, sky-dyed, cerulescent, powder blue, bluish, atmospheric, retiring, cold.For further exploring for "cyanogen" in Webster Dictionary Online
