aqua regia

noun

aqua re·gia | \ -ˈrē-j(ē-)ə

How to pronounce aqua regia (audio)

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Definition of aqua regia

: a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids that dissolves gold or platinum

Examples of aqua regia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As German troops marched in the streets of Copenhagen, chemist George de Hevesy stashed the medals in aqua regia, an acid strong enough to dissolve gold. — National Geographic, "Nobel Prizes 2017: Facts About the Secretive Process and Peculiar Past," 2 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aqua regia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of aqua regia was in 1617

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aqua regia

noun

aqua re·gia | \ -ˈrē-j(ē-)ə

\

Medical Definition of aqua regia

: a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids that dissolves gold or platinum

— called also nitrohydrochloric acid

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