monoxide Chem.
(mɒˈnɒksaɪd, -ˈɒksɪd)
[f. mono- 2 + oxide.]
An oxide containing one equivalent of oxygen.
The term is used where several oxides of the same element are to be distinguished, as carbon monoxide CO, to be distinguished from carbon dioxide CO2.
| 1869 Roscoe Elem. Chem. (1871) 69 The salt decomposes on heating into nitrogen mon-oxide and water. 1873 Fownes' Chem. (ed. 11) 129 Equal weights of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide are transpired in equal times. 1891 Lancet 2 May 993/2 Small quantities of carbon monoxide. |
b. attrib.
| 1900 Lancet 25 Aug. 607/2 Deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning. 1904 Athenæum 31 Dec. 909/2 The oxygen..combines with a portion of the carbon to form carbon monoxide gas. |