hydrofluoric acid

noun

hy·dro·flu·or·ic acid ˌhī-drō-ˈflȯr-ik

-ˈflu̇r-

: 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 Lithography and etching can produce acidic wastewater, and can even contaminate it with powerful hydrofluoric acid. —

Rebecca Heilweil, WIRED, 19 July 2023 And even silicates will be damaged if they are cleaned with a solution that includes hydrofluoric acid, which is commonly found in rust-removers and toilet bowl cleaners, according to the Natural Stone Institute, an industry group. —

Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 26 May 2023 Also added during the separation process: organic compounds including kerosene, trichloroethylene, hexone, tributyl phosphate and carbon tetrachloride, as well as inorganics including sodium bismuthate, hydrofluoric acid, sodium dichromate, sulfuric acid and diatomaceous earth. —

Valerie Brown, Discover Magazine, 28 Sep. 2018 Its distinctive misty effect was created by treating clear colorless, blue or pink glass with vaporized hydrofluoric acid. —

Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2022 Most importantly, the finale (and set of twists) is quite strong here, all of it intercut rather brilliantly with the health exec being slowly dissolved via dozens of simultaneous hydrofluoric acid injections. —

Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 28 Sep. 2022 Nobody was killed, but 3,271 pounds of highly toxic hydrofluoric acid leaked into the community. —

Evan Halper, Anchorage Daily News, 21 June 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hydrofluoric acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of hydrofluoric acid was in 1830

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near hydrofluoric acid

hydroflap

hydrofluoric acid

hydrofluoride

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hydrofluoric acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrofluoric%20acid. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.

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Kids Definition

hydrofluoric acid

noun

hy·dro·flu·or·ic acid ˌhī-drō-flu̇-ˌȯr-ik-

-flu̇-ˌär-ik-

: a weak poisonous acid that is formed by dissolving hydrogen fluoride in water

Medical Definition

hydrofluoric acid

noun

hy·dro·flu·or·ic acid -ˌflu̇r-ik-

-ˌflōr-

-ˌflȯr-

: 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