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Hydrochloric

(Science: chemistry) Pertaining to, or compounded of, chlorine and hydrogen gas; as, hydrochloric acid; chlorhydric.

(Science: chemistry) hydrochloric acid, hydrogen chloride; a colourless, corrosive gas, HCl, of pungent, suffocating odour. It is made in great quantities in the soda process, by the action of sulphuric acid on common salt. It has a great affinity for water, and the commercial article is a strong solution of the gas in water. It is a typical acid, and is an indispensable agent in commercial and general chemical work.

Synonym: muriatic, and chlorhydric, acid.

Origin: Hydro-, 2 _ hloric: cf. F. Hydrochlorique.