An oxide of carbon having fewer oxygen atoms than carbon atoms in its molecule; specifically a foul-smelling gas, C₃O₂, prepared by dehydrating malonic acid.
Origin
Late 19th century.
Definition of carbon suboxide in US English:
carbon suboxide
noun
Chemistry
An oxide of carbon having fewer oxygen atoms than carbon atoms in its molecule; specifically a foul-smelling gas, C₃O₂, prepared by dehydrating malonic acid.