adiponitrile

noun

ad·​i·​po·​ni·​trile
¦a-də-(ˌ)pō-ˈnī-trəl,
ˌtrēl,
-ˌtrī(-ə)l
plural -s
: the high-boiling liquid dinitrile NC(CH2)4CN of adipic acid made from 1,4-dichlorobutane and sodium cyanide and used to make the nylon intermediate hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid

called also tetramethylene cyanide

Word History

Etymology

adip- + nitrile

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adiponitrile was in 1902

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near adiponitrile

Cite this Entry

“Adiponitrile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adiponitrile. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!