cyanogen Chem.
(saɪˈænədʒɛn)
[ad. F. cyanogène, f. Gr. κύανος a dark-blue mineral + -gen, named (by Gay-Lussac, who isolated it in 1815) from its entering into the composition of Prussian blue.]
A compound radical consisting of one atom of nitrogen and one of carbon (symbol CN or Cy). In the form of di-cyanogen (C2N2), it is a colourless gas, highly poisonous, with a strong odour like that of prussic acid. It exists in a great number of compounds, the cyanides, cyanates, cyanurets, etc.
| 1826 Henry Elem. Chem. I. 451 The vapour, collected over mercury, proved to be pure cyanogen. 1855 Bain Senses & Int. ii. ii. §8 An evolution of the unwholesome and suffocating gas, cyanogen. |