ammonia

Meaning

Noun

• A gaseous compound of hydrogen and nitrogen, NH₃, with a pungent smell and taste.
• A solution of this compound in water used domestically as a cleaning fluid.

Related

Similar words

• spirits of hartshorn
• volatile alkali

Origin

• From Latin sal ammoniacus ("salt of Amun, ammonium chloride"), named so because it was found near the temple of (Jupiter) Ammon in Egypt. Ammon derives from Ancient Greek Ἄμμων, from Egyptian i-mn:n-A4jmn.