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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
In 2018, the company leaked hundreds of gallons of hydrofluoric acid into a nearby river basin.
—Tommy Greene, WIRED, 1 Oct. 2024
The polymer can be burned off, but this releases carbon monoxide, hydrofluoric acid, and other harmful pollutants.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 June 2024
Removing them typically involves toxic reagents such as hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, or sodium hydroxide.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 June 2024
Battery production and processing of battery materials in China is often energy-intensive and in the case of critical minerals such as graphite, uses environmentally harmful chemicals including hydrofluoric acid.
—Henry Sanderson, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2024
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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
Dictionary Entries Near hydrofluoric acid
Cite this Entry
“Hydrofluoric acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrofluoric%20acid. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on hydrofluoric acid
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hydrofluoric acid
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