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nitrify to oxidize into nitrous or nitric acid or a nitrite or nitrate, as by bacterial action in soil. [2 definitions]
nitrite an ester or salt of nitrous acid.
nitro- containing nitrogen. [2 definitions]
nitrobenzene a toxic liquid or crystalline compound, used to make aniline, insulating materials, and solvents.
nitrocellulose a cottonlike substance made from cellulose treated with nitric and sulfuric acids and used in plastics, explosives, and lacquers.
nitrogen a chemical element that has seven protons in each nucleus and that occurs as a colorless, odorless gas that comprises about eighty percent of the earth's atmosphere, or in important compounds such as nitrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and ammonia. (symbol: N) [3 definitions]
nitrogen cycle the continuous natural cycle by which nitrogen passes from air to soil to organisms and back to air.
nitrogen dioxide a slightly toxic gas composed of nitrogen and oxygen, found in smog and automotive exhaust, and synthesized for use in nitration and oxidation, and as a catalyst.
nitrogen fixation any of various processes to convert atmospheric nitrogen into compounds with other elements, either naturally, as by bacteria, in leguminous plants or the soil, or chemically for industrial use, fertilizers, and the like.
nitrogenize to combine, treat, or impregnate with nitrogen.
nitrogen mustard any of a class of poisonous, burning compounds similar to mustard gas, used in treating cancer.
nitrogen oxide any of several compounds containing nitrogen and oxygen.
nitroglycerin a very explosive liquid used in making dynamite and other explosives and in dilating arteries to treat angina.
nitrosamine any of various organic compounds, some of which are carcinogenic, that derive from amines and are found in a wide variety of substances.
nitrous of, like, containing, or pertaining to compounds containing or derived from niter. [2 definitions]
nitrous acid an unstable, inorganic nitrogen compound that occurs only in solution or in its salts as nitrites.
nitrous oxide a colorless, nonflammable, inorganic gas with a sweet taste and smell, used as an anesthetic; laughing gas.
nitty full of lice or lice eggs.
nitty-gritty (informal) the fundamental elements, issues, details, or the like.
nitwit (informal) a dimwitted, foolish, or stupid person.
NJ abbreviation of "New Jersey," an eastern U.S. state on the Atlantic coast between New York and Delaware.