Definition

A chemical compound that contains the nitrite ion, which consists of one nitrogen atom and two oxygen atoms. It is often found in salts or esters derived from nitrous acid.

Example

Nitrite is commonly used in food preservation and as a color fixative in meats.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of nitrite?

Yeah, I think it's something related to food preservation, right?

Exactly! It’s often used in processed meats.

That’s why I try to avoid them sometimes.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Nitrite is formed from "nitro-" (from Latin "nitrum", meaning saltpeter or sodium nitrate) and "-ite" (a suffix used in chemistry to denote a specific type of compound). The word "nitrite" refers to a chemical compound containing the nitrite ion, which is derived from nitrous acid.

Memory Tip

Think of 'nitro-' as relating to a type of salt and '-ite' indicating a specific compound, helping you remember that nitrite is a specific type of chemical compound.

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