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hydrofluoric acid

noun
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hy·​dro·​flu·​or·​ic acid | \ ˌhī-drō-ˈflȯr-ik How to pronounce hydrofluoric acid (audio) , -ˈflu̇r- How to pronounce hydrofluoric acid (audio) \

Definition of hydrofluoric acid

: an aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride HF that is a weak poisonous acid, that attacks silica and silicates, and that is used especially in finishing and etching glass

Examples of hydrofluoric acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The first phase will produce hydrofluoric acid and other high-purity industrial chemicals. — Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 20 Jan. 2022 The hydrofluoric acid gas emitted from a volcano attached itself to ash particles, which fell on a group of tourists. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 19 June 2021 After arriving to the scene, personnel determined that one of the leaking drums contained a mix of hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid and chromium, DEEP said. — Jessika Harkay, courant.com, 16 Aug. 2021 There's no antidote for hydrofluoric acid toxicity. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 19 June 2021 Lynch could not immediately confirm how 3M uses hydrofluoric acid. — Jennifer Bjorhus, Star Tribune, 12 May 2021 At Arizona State researchers are working on electrochemical processes to extract metals like tin, copper and lead from solar cells by dissolving them in baths of nitric acid, then hydrofluoric acid and sodium hydroxide. — Christopher Helman, Forbes, 28 Apr. 2021 The February 2015 blast sent a 40-ton piece of equipment close to crashing into a tank containing hydrofluoric acid, a dangerous chemical that can form a deadly, ground-hugging cloud. — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2020 The conservative movement has served like a bath of hydrofluoric acid on the quality, competence, and basic decency of American institutions. — Ryan Cooper, TheWeek, 3 Mar. 2020 See More

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

First Known Use of hydrofluoric acid

1830, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for hydrofluoric acid

International Scientific Vocabulary

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Time Traveler for hydrofluoric acid

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The first known use of hydrofluoric acid was in 1830

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Dictionary Entries Near hydrofluoric acid

hydroflap

hydrofluoric acid

hydrofluoride

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Statistics for hydrofluoric acid

Cite this Entry

“Hydrofluoric acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrofluoric%20acid. Accessed 27 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for hydrofluoric acid

hydrofluoric acid

noun
hy·​dro·​flu·​or·​ic acid | \ -ˌflu̇r-ik- How to pronounce hydrofluoric acid (audio) , -ˌflōr- How to pronounce hydrofluoric acid (audio) , -ˌflȯr- \

Medical Definition of hydrofluoric acid

: an aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride HF that is a weak poisonous acid, that resembles hydrochloric acid chemically but attacks silica and silicates, and that is used especially in finishing and etching glass

More from Merriam-Webster on hydrofluoric acid

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hydrofluoric acid

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