pyrogenic, a.
(-ˈdʒɛnɪk)
[f. as pyrogen + -ic.]
† 1. Geol. = pyrogenous 1 a. Obs. rare.
| 1853 Th. Ross Humboldt's Trav. III. xxxii. 370 The ancient pyrogenic rocks which I found near Parapara. 1904 A. W. Grabau in Amer. Geologist XXXIII. 230 Returning now to the..chemically deposited rocks, we may readily distinguish four groups... The first..includes the well recognized Igneous rocks, to which the term pyrogenic is applicable. |
† 2. Chem. Name for a supposed peculiar acid, now identified with formic acid. Obs.
| 1864–72 Watts Dict. Chem. II. 684 Tünnermann (Pogg. Ann. xv. 307) thought that he had discovered two peculiar acids, to which he gave the names of pyrogenic and amylenic acids. |
3. Phys. and Path. = pyrogenetic b.
| 1877 Roberts Handbk. Med. (ed. 3) I. 80 Dr. Burdon-Sanderson found..that by injecting certains fluids—which he terms ‘pyrogenic’—..fever could be excited. 1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 157 The pyrogenic substance was perhaps a body analogous to the unformed ferments. |
4. Chem. Caused by the application of heat.
| 1887 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. LII. i. 572 (heading) Pyrogenic reactions. 1912 Ibid. CI. ii. 1453 One of the authors was engaged in examining the pyrogenic decomposition of American turpentine with the object of obtaining isoprene in quantity. 1920 Ibid. CXVIII. i. 589 (heading) Pyrogenic acetylene condensations. |