ozone

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: o=zone

CIDE DICTIONARY

ozone, n. [Gr. 'o`zwn smelling, p. pr. of 'o`zein to smell. See Odor.].

 A colorless gaseous substance (O3) obtained (as by the silent discharge of electricity in oxygen) as an allotropic form of oxygen, containing three atoms in the molecule. It is a strong oxidizer, and probably exists in the air, though by the ordinary tests it is liable to be confused with certain other substances, as hydrogen dioxide, or certain oxides of nitrogen. It derives its name from its peculiar odor, which resembles that of weak chlorine.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

ozone, n.
1 Chem. a colourless unstable gas with a pungent odour and powerful oxidizing properties, used for bleaching etc.

Idiom

ozone-friendly (of manufactured articles) containing chemicals that are not destructive to the ozone layer. ozone layer a layer of ozone in the stratosphere that absorbs most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation.

Usage

Chem. formula: O3.
2 colloq. a invigorating air at the seaside etc. b exhilarating influence.

Derivative

ozonic adj. ozonize v.tr. (also -ise). ozonization n. ozonizer n.

Etymology

G Ozon f. Gk, neut. pres. part. of ozo smell