Sulphite Sul"phite noun A person who is spontaneous and original in his habits of thought and conversation. [ Slang] -- Sul*phit"ic adjective [ Slang]

A sulphite is a person who does his own thinking, he is a person who has surprises up his sleeve. He is explosive.

Gelett Burgess.

Sulpho- Sul"pho- (Chemistry) A prefix (also used adjectively) designating sulphur as an ingredient in certain compounds. Confer Thio- .

Sulphoarsenic Sul`pho·ar·sen"ic adjective (Chemistry) Of, pertaining to, or containing, sulphur and arsenic; -- said of an acid which is the same as arsenic acid with the substitution of sulphur for oxygen.

Sulphocarbonate Sul`pho·car"bon·ate noun (Chemistry) A salt of sulphocarbonic acid; a thiocarbonate.

Sulphocarbonic Sul`pho·car·bon"ic adjective (Chemistry) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a sulphacid, H ₂ CSO ₂ (called also thiocarbonic acid ), or an acid, H ₂ CS ₃ , analogous to carbonic acid, obtained as a yellow oily liquid of a pungent odor, and forming salts.

Sulphocyanate Sul`pho·cy"a·nate noun (Chemistry) A salt of sulphocyanic acid; -- also called thiocyanate , and formerly inaccurately sulphocyanide . Ferric sulphocyanate (Chemistry) , a dark red crystalline substance usually obtained in a blood-red solution, and recognized as a test for ferric iron.

Sulphocyanic Sul`pho·cy·an"ic adjective [ See Sulphur , Cyanic .] (Chemistry) Of, pertaining to, derived from, or designating, a sulphacid, HSCN, analogous to cyanic acid, and obtained as a colorless deliquescent crystalline substance, having a bitter saline taste, and not poisonous.

Sulphocyanide Sul`pho·cy"a·nide noun (Chemistry) See Sulphocyanate .

Sulphocyanogen Sul`pho·cy·an"o·gen noun (Chemistry) See Persulphocyanogen . [ Obsolete]

Sulphonal Sul"pho·nal noun (Medicine) A substance employed as a hypnotic, produced by the union of mercaptan and acetone.

Sulphonate Sul"pho·nate noun (Chemistry) A salt of sulphonic acid.

Sulphone Sul"phone noun (Chemistry) Any one of a series of compounds analogous to the ketones, and consisting of the sulphuryl group united with two hydrocarbon radicals; as, dimethyl sulphone , (CH...)....SO....

Sulphonic Sul·phon"ic adjective (Chemistry) Pertaining to, or derived from, a sulphone; -- used specifically to designate any one of a series of acids (regarded as acid ethereal salts of sulphurous acid) obtained by the oxidation of the mercaptans, or by treating sulphuric acid with certain aromatic bases (as benzene); as, phenyl sulphonic acid, C ₆ H ₅ .SO ₂ .OH, a stable colorless crystalline substance. Sulphonic group (Chemistry) , the hypothetical radical, SO ₂ .OH, the characteristic residue of sulphonic acids.

Sulphonium Sul·pho"ni·um noun [ Sulph ur + amm onium .] (Chemistry) A hypothetical radical, SH ₃ , regarded as the type and nucleus of the sulphines.

Sulphophosphate Sul`pho·phos"phate noun (Chemistry) A salt of sulphophosphoric acid.

Sulphophosphite Sul`pho·phos"phite noun (Chemistry) A salt of sulphophosphorous acid.

Sulphophosphoric Sul`pho·phos·phor"ic adjective Of, pertaining to, or designating, a hypothetical sulphacid of phosphorus, analogous to phosphoric acid, and known in its salts.

Sulphophosphorous Sul`pho·phos"phor·ous adjective (Chemistry) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a hypothetical acid of phosphorus, analogous to phosphorous acid, and known in its salts.

Sulphosalt Sul"pho·salt` noun (Chemistry) A salt of a sulphacid.

Sulphostannate Sul`pho·stan"nate noun (Chemistry) A salt of sulphostannic acid.

Sulphostannic Sul`pho·stan"nic adjective (Chemistry) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a sulphacid of tin (more exactly called metasulphostannic acid ), which is obtained as a dark brown amorphous substance, H...SnS..., forming a well-known series of salts.

Sulphotungstate Sul`pho·tung"state noun (Chemistry) A salt of sulphotungstic acid.

Sulphotungstic Sul`pho·tung"stic adjective (Chemistry) Of, pertaining to, or designating, hypothetical sulphacid of tungsten (called also sulphowolframic acid ), analogous to sulphuric acid, and known in its salts.

Sulphovinic Sul`pho·vin"ic adjective [ Sulpho- + vinum wine: confer French sulfovinique .] (Chemistry) Of, pertaining to, and formerly designating, ethylsulphuric acid.

Sulphur Sul"phur noun [ Latin , better sulfur : confer French soufre .] 1. (Chemistry) A nonmetallic element occurring naturally in large quantities, either combined as in the sulphides (as pyrites ) and sulphates (as gypsum ), or native in volcanic regions, in vast beds mixed with gypsum and various earthy materials, from which it is melted out. Symbol S. Atomic weight 32. The specific gravity of ordinary octohedral sulphur is 2.05; of prismatic sulphur, 1.96. » It is purified by distillation, and is obtained as a lemon- yellow powder (by sublimation), called flour , or flowers , of sulphur , or in cast sticks called roll sulphur , or brimstone . It burns with a blue flame and a peculiar suffocating odor. It is an ingredient of gunpowder, is used on friction matches, and in medicine (as a laxative and insecticide), but its chief use is in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. Sulphur can be obtained in two crystalline modifications, in orthorhombic octahedra, or in monoclinic prisms, the former of which is the more stable at ordinary temperatures. Sulphur is the type, in its chemical relations, of a group of elements, including selenium and tellurium , called collectively the sulphur group , or family . In many respects sulphur resembles oxygen. 2. (Zoology) Any one of numerous species of yellow or orange butterflies of the subfamily Pierinæ ; as, the clouded sulphur ( Eurymus, or Colias, philodice ), which is the common yellow butterfly of the Eastern United States. Amorphous sulphur (Chemistry) , an elastic variety of sulphur of a resinous appearance, obtained by pouring melted sulphur into water. On standing, it passes back into a brittle crystalline modification. -- Liver of sulphur . (Old Chem.) See Hepar . -- Sulphur acid . (Chemistry) See Sulphacid . -- Sulphur alcohol . (Chemistry) See Mercaptan . -- Sulphur auratum [ Latin ] (Old Chem.) , a golden yellow powder, consisting of antimonic sulphide, Sb ₂ S ₅ , -- formerly a famous nostrum. -- Sulphur base (Chemistry) , an alkaline sulphide capable of acting as a base in the formation of sulphur salts according to the old dual theory of salts. [ Archaic] -- Sulphur dioxide (Chemistry) , a colorless gas, SO ₂ , of a pungent, suffocating odor, produced by the burning of sulphur. It is employed chiefly in the production of sulphuric acid, and as a reagent in bleaching; -- called also sulphurous anhydride , and formerly sulphurous acid . -- Sulphur ether (Chemistry) , a sulphide of hydrocarbon radicals, formed like the ordinary ethers, which are oxides, but with sulphur in the place of oxygen. -- Sulphur salt (Chemistry) , a salt of a sulphacid; a sulphosalt. -- Sulphur showers , showers of yellow pollen, resembling sulphur in appearance, often carried from pine forests by the wind to a great distance. -- Sulphur trioxide (Chemistry) , a white crystalline solid, SO ₃ , obtained by oxidation of sulphur dioxide. It dissolves in water with a hissing noise and the production of heat, forming sulphuric acid, and is employed as a dehydrating agent. Called also sulphuric anhydride , and formerly sulphuric acid . -- Sulphur whale . (Zoology) See Sulphur- bottom . -- Vegetable sulphur (Botany) , lycopodium powder. See under Lycopodium .

Sulphur-bottom Sul`phur-bot"tom noun (Zoology) A very large whalebone whale of the genus Sibbaldius , having a yellowish belly; especially, S. sulfureus of the North Pacific, and S. borealis of the North Atlantic; -- called also sulphur whale .

Sulphurate Sul"phu·rate adjective [ Latin sulphuratus , sulfuratus .] Sulphureous. [ Poetic & R.] Dr. H. More.

Sulphurate Sul"phu·rate transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Sulphurated ; present participle & verbal noun Sulphurating .] (Chemistry) To sulphurize. [ Archaic]

Sulphuration Sul`phu·ra"tion noun [ Confer French sulfuration , Latin sulphuratio , sulfuratio , a vein of sulphur.] The act or process of combining or impregnating with sulphur or its compounds; also, the state of being so combined or impregnated.

Sulphurator Sul"phu·ra`tor noun An apparatus for impregnating with, or exposing to the action of, sulphur; especially, an apparatus for fumigating or bleaching by means of the fumes of burning sulphur.

Sulphureity Sul`phu·re"i·ty noun The quality or state of being sulphureous. [ Obsolete] B. Jonson.

Sulphureous Sul·phu"re·ous adjective [ Latin sulphureus , sulfureus .] Consisting of sulphur; having the qualities of sulphur, or brimstone; impregnated with sulphur.

Her snakes united, sulphureous waters drink.

Pope. -- Sul*phu"re*ous*ly , adverb -- Sul*phu"re*ous*ness , noun

Sulphuret Sul"phu·ret noun (Chemistry) A sulphide; as, a sulphuret of potassium. [ Obsoles.]

Sulphureted Sul"phu·ret`ed adjective (Chemistry) Combined or impregnated with sulphur; sulphurized. [ Written also sulphuretted .] Sulphureted hydrogen . (Chemistry) See Hydrogen sulphide , under Hydrogen .

Sulphuric Sul·phu"ric adjective [ Confer French sulfurique .] 1. Of or pertaining to sulphur; as, a sulphuric smell. 2. (Chemistry) Derived from, or containing, sulphur; specifically, designating those compounds in which the element has a higher valence as contrasted with the sulphurous compounds; as, sulphuric acid. Sulphuric acid . (a) Sulphur trioxide (see under Sulphur ); -- formerly so called on the dualistic theory of salts. [ Obsolete] (b) A heavy, corrosive, oily liquid, H ₂ SO ₄ , colorless when pure, but usually yellowish or brownish, produced by the combined action of sulphur dioxide, oxygen (from the air), steam, and nitric fumes. It attacks and dissolves many metals and other intractable substances, sets free most acids from their salts, and is used in the manufacture of hydrochloric and nitric acids, of soda, of bleaching powders, etc. It is also powerful dehydrating agent, having a strong affinity for water, and eating and corroding paper, wood, clothing, etc. It is thus used in the manufacture of ether, of imitation parchment, and of nitroglycerin. It is also used in etching iron, in removing iron scale from forgings, in petroleum refining, etc., and in general its manufacture is the most important and fundamental of all the chemical industries. Formerly called vitriolic acid , and now popularly vitriol , and oil of vitriol . -- Fuming sulphuric acid , or Nordhausen sulphuric acid . See Disulphuric acid , under Disulphuric . -- Sulphuric anhydride , sulphur trioxide. See under Sulphur . -- Sulphuric ether , common anæsthetic ether; -- so called because made by the catalytic action of sulphuric acid on alcohol. See Ether , 3 (a) .

Sulphurine Sul"phur·ine adjective Sulphureous. [ R.]

Sulphuring Sul"phur·ing noun Exposure to the fumes of burning sulphur, as in bleaching; the process of bleaching by exposure to the fumes of sulphur.

Sulphurize Sul"phur·ize transitive verb (Chemistry) To combine or impregnate with sulphur or any of its compounds; as, to sulphurize caoutchouc in vulcanizing.

Sulphurous Sul"phur·ous adjective [ Latin sulphurosus , sulfurosus : confer French sulfureux .] 1. Of or pertaining to sulphur. 2. (Chemistry) (a) Derived from, or containing, sulphur; specifically, designating those compounds in which the element has a lower valence as contrasted with the sulphuric compounds. (b) Having the characteristic odor of sulphur dioxide, or of hydrogen sulphide, or of other sulphur compounds. Sulphurous acid . (a) Sulphur dioxide. See under Sulphur . [ Obsolete] (b) An acid, H ₂ SO ₃ , not known in the free state except as a solution of sulphur dioxide in water, but forming a well- known series of salts (the sulphites ). -- Sulphurous anhydride (Chemistry) , sulphur dioxide. See under Sulphur .

Sulphurwort Sul"phur·wort` noun (Botany) The hog's fennel. See under Fennel .

Sulphury Sul"phur·y adjective Resembling, or partaking of the nature of, sulphur; having the qualities of sulphur.

Sulphuryl Sul"phur·yl noun [ Sulphur + -yl .] (Chemistry) The hypothetical radical SO ₂ ; -- called also sulphon . Sulphuryl chloride , a chloride, pungent, fuming liquid, SO ₂ .Cl ₂ , obtained by the action of phosphorus pentachloride on sulphur trioxide. On treatment with water it decomposes into sulphuric and hydrochloric acids, and is hence called also sulphuric chloranhydride .

Sulphydrate Sul·phy"drate noun (Chemistry) A compound, analogous to a hydrate, regarded as a salt of sulphydric acid, or as a derivative of hydrogen sulphide in which one half of the hydrogen is replaced by a base (as potassium sulphydrate , KSH), or as a hydrate in which the oxygen has been wholly or partially replaced by sulphur.

Sulphydric Sul·phy"dric adjective (Chemistry) Of, pertaining to, or designating, hydrogen sulphide, which is regarded as an acid, especially when in solution.

Sulpician Sul·pi"cian noun [ So called after the parish of St. Sulpice in Paris, of which the founder, Jean Jacques Olier, was pastor in 1643.] (R. C. Ch.) One of an order of priests established in France in 1642 to educate men for the ministry. The order was introduced soon afterwards into Canada, and in 1791 into the United States. [ Written also Sulpitian .]

Sultan Sul"tan noun [ French sultan (cf. Spanish soldan , Italian sultano , soldano ), Arabic sultān sultan, dominion. Confer Soldan .] A ruler, or sovereign, of a Mohammedan state; specifically, the ruler of the Turks; the Padishah, or Grand Seignior; -- officially so called. Sultan flower . (Botany) See Sweet sultan , under Sweet .

Sultan-red Sul"tan-red` adjective Having a deep red color.

Sultana Sul·ta"na noun [ Italian ] 1. The wife of a sultan; a sultaness. 2. plural A kind of seedless raisin produced near Smyrna in Asiatic Turkey. Sultana bird (Zoology) , the hyacinthine, or purple, gallinule. See Illust. under Gallinule .

Sultanate Sul"tan·ate noun [ Confer French sultanat .] The rule or dominion of a sultan; sultanship.

Sultaness Sul"tan·ess noun A sultana.