cyanide

/ˌsaɪəˈnaɪd/

/ˈsaɪənaɪd/

Other forms: cyanides

Definitions of cyanide

1. noun

   any of a class of organic compounds containing the cyano radical -CN
   synonyms: nitril, nitrile

   types:

   acrylonitrile, propenonitrile, vinyl cyanide

   a colorless liquid unsaturated nitrile made from propene

   type of:

   organic compound

   any compound of carbon and another element or a radical
2. noun

   an extremely poisonous salt of hydrocyanic acid
   types:

   sodium cyanide

   a white poisonous salt (NaCN) used in electroplating

   potassium cyanide

   a poisonous salt (KCN) used in electroplating and in photography

   type of:

   salt

   a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)