septousadj.
/ˈsɛptəs/, U.S. /ˈsɛptəs/ Chemistry. Now historical and rare.
In the terminology of S. L. Mitchill: of or relating to nitrogen (cf. septon n.); nitrous. Cf. septic adj.2† septous acid n. Obsolete nitrous or nitric acid.
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septic acid1795
septous1795
septous acid1795
1795 S. L. Mitchill Remarks Gaseous Oxyd Azote or Nitrogene 12 (table) [I should] have made the nomenclature stand thus:..Septous gas; instead of azotic gas or nitrogene gas.
1795 S. L. Mitchill Remarks Gaseous Oxyd Azote or Nitrogene 13 (table) Septous acid; instead of nitrous acid.
1799 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 2 184 Obtaining phosphoric acid from the bones of animals, by employing septous (nitrous) acid, which dissolved their lime.
1814 J. Nicholson Farmer's Assistant 64 From the air it [sc. a seed] absorbs hydrogene gas and the septous principle, or azote; and for this reason will grow most thrifty in large cities, or in the vicinity of animal putridity.
1934 C. R. Hall Scientist in Early Republic iv. 40 He [sc. Mitchill] believed that septous compounds formed near the earth nourished vegetables, and in the air aided in producing hail.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2020; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1795