Sul·phu·ric a.
 1. Of or pertaining to sulphur; as, a sulphuric smell.
 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.
 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).
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 Di·sul·phu·ric a.  Chem. Applied to an acid having in each molecule two atoms of sulphur in the higher state of oxidation.
 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.
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 Fum·ing, a. Producing fumes, or vapors.
 Cadet's fuming liquid Chem., alkarsin.
 Fuming liquor of Libavius Old Chem., stannic chloride; the chloride of tin, SnCl4, forming a colorless, mobile liquid which fumes in the air. Mixed with water it solidifies to the so-called butter of tin.
 Fuming sulphuric acid. Chem. Same as Disulphuric acid, uder Disulphuric.
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