(Elements & Compounds) a colourless nonflammable slightly soluble gas with a sweet smell: used as an anaesthetic in dentistry and surgery. Formula: N2O. Systematic name: dinitrogen oxide Also called: laughing gas
A colorless, sweet-smelling gas, N2O. It is used as a mild anesthetic, in which use it is often called laughing gas. Nitrous oxide occurs naturally in the atmosphere and is a greenhouse gas.
The sight of the planet through a telescope is worth all the course on astronomy; the shock of the electric spark in the elbow, outvalues all the theories; the taste of the nitrous oxide, the firing of an artificial volcano, are better than volumes of chemistry.
Efforts are now being made to raise awareness of the psychoactive drug following the news that nitrous oxide is now the second most popular drug of choice for those aged 16-24.
It added: "Following the stops of teenagers from the age of 14 to 16 last night, a quantity of alcohol was seized, more worrying was that a 15 yr old was carrying 192 canisters of nitrous oxide.
The law was changed three years ago to make it illegal to supply or sell nitrous oxide for its psychoactive effect, but nurses say the law is not working.
Nitrous oxide, also known as Noz, hippie crack, chargers or balloons, is legally used by medics for pain relief and sold for the production of whipped cream.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.