nitrous

From Middle French nitreux, and its source, Latin nitrōsus (“nitrose”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈnaɪtɹəs/

• Audio (Southern England)

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nitrous

1. (now historical) Pertaining to or composed of nitre; having the properties of nitre, bitter. [from 16th c.]
   • 1730, James Thomson, “Autumn”, in The Seasons, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, and sold by Thomas Cadell, […], published 1768, →OCLC:

     Whate'er the wintry Frost
     Nitrous prepar'd; the various-blossom'd Spring
     Put in white Promise forth; and Summer-Suns
     Concocted strong, rush boundless now to View […] .

2. (chemistry) Of, relating to, or derived from nitrogen, especially in which the valence of the nitrogen is lower than that of a corresponding nitric species. [from 17th c.]
3. (chemistry) Of or relating to nitrous acid or its derivatives.
4. (mycology, biology) Having a sharp odor like ammonia or nitric acid.

nitrous (uncountable)

1. (dentistry, automotive, informal) Nitrous oxide.
2. (automotive, informal) The system in some racing vehicles which pumps nitrous oxide into the engine to improve performance.
   • 2002, Mike Kojima, Honda/Acura Engine Performance: How to Modify D, B and H Series Honda/Acura Engines for Street and Drag Racing Performance, Penguin, →ISBN, page 111:

     When a shot this big is being run, it will also be necessary to pull 6-10 degrees of timing out when the nitrous is being run.

   • 2004, Simon Carless, Gaming Hacks, "O'Reilly Media, Inc.", →ISBN, page 320:

     To simulate nitrous, we will use a very simple approach: apply a large force to the back of the car when the nitrous is on.

   • 2013, David Vizard, David Vizard's How to Super Tune and Modify Holley Carburetors, CarTech Inc, →ISBN, page 74:

     When tested on a typical summer day, an engine with fuel fed by an annular discharge booster could be 10 hp less over a stepped dogleg booster, but 10 hp more when the nitrous is in operation.

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