a. [ Pref. di- + sulphuric. ] (Chem.) Applied to an acid having in each molecule two atoms of sulphur in the higher state of oxidation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Disulphuric acid, a thick oily liquid, H2S2O7, called also Nordhausen acid (from Nordhausen in the Harts, where it was originally manufactured), fuming sulphuric acid, and especially pyrosulphuric acid. See under Pyrosulphuric. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, ethyl and sulphuric acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ethylsulphuric acid (Chem.), an acid sulphate of ethyl, H.C2H5.SO4, produced as a thick liquid by the action of sulphiric acid on alcohol. It appears to be the active catalytic agent in the process of etherification. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Hydro-, 2 + sulphuric. ] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, hydrogen and sulphur; as, hydrosulphuric acid, a designation applied to the solution of hydrogen sulphide in water. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. hypo- + sulphuric. ] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, sulphur in a lower state of oxidation than in the sulphuric compounds; as, hyposulphuric acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hyposulphuric acid, an acid, H2S2O6, obtained by the action of manganese dioxide on sulphur dioxide, and known only in a watery solution and in its salts; -- called also dithionic acid. See Dithionic. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pyro- + -sulphuric. ] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid called also disulphuric acid) obtained by distillation of certain sulphates, as a colorless, thick, oily liquid, H2S2O7 resembling sulphuric acid. It is used in the solution of indigo, in the manufacture of alizarin, and in dehydration. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. sulfurique. ] 1. Of or pertaining to sulphur; as, a sulphuric smell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Chem.) Derived from, or containing, sulphur; specifically, designating those compounds in which the element has a higher valence as contrasted with the sulphurous compounds; as, sulphuric acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sulphuric acid. (a) Sulphur trioxide (see under Sulphur); -- formerly so called on the dualistic theory of salts. [ Obs. ] (b) A heavy, corrosive, oily liquid, H2SO4, colorless when pure, but usually yellowish or brownish, produced by the combined action of sulphur dioxide, oxygen (from the air), steam, and nitric fumes. It attacks and dissolves many metals and other intractable substances, sets free most acids from their salts, and is used in the manufacture of hydrochloric and nitric acids, of soda, of bleaching powders, etc. It is also powerful dehydrating agent, having a strong affinity for water, and eating and corroding paper, wood, clothing, etc. It is thus used in the manufacture of ether, of imitation parchment, and of nitroglycerin. It is also used in etching iron, in removing iron scale from forgings, in petroleum refining, etc., and in general its manufacture is the most important and fundamental of all the chemical industries. Formerly called vitriolic acid, and now popularly vitriol, and oil of vitriol. --
Fuming sulphuric acid, or
Nordhausen sulphuric acid. See Disulphuric acid, under Disulphuric. --
Sulphuric anhydride, sulphur trioxide. See under Sulphur. --
Sulphuric ether, common anaesthetic ether; -- so called because made by the catalytic action of sulphuric acid on alcohol. See Ether, 3 (a). [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Thio- + sulphuric. ] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, an unstable acid, H2S2O3, analogous to sulphuric acid, and formerly called hyposulphurous acid. [ 1913 Webster ]