aqua re·gi·a (r  j- , rj)n. A corrosive, fuming, volatile mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids, used for testing metals and dissolving platinum and gold. Also called nitrohydrochloric acid. [New Latin aqua r gia : Latin aqua, water + Latin rgia, feminine of rgius, royal (because it dissolves gold, the "royal metal").] |
aqua regia [ˈriːdʒɪə]
n
(Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) a yellow fuming corrosive mixture of one part nitric acid and three to four parts hydrochloric acid, used in metallurgy for dissolving metals, including gold Also called nitrohydrochloric acid
[from New Latin: royal water; referring to its use in dissolving gold, the royal metal]
| aqua regia (rj-, rj) A corrosive, fuming, volatile mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids. Aqua regia is used for testing metals and dissolving platinum and gold. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | aqua regia - a yellow fuming corrosive mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acid that dissolves metals (including gold) acid - any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt |
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