Nitrile
Pronunciation : Ni"trile ( or )
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [See Nitro-.] (Chem.)
Definition : Defn: Any one of a series of cyanogen compounds; particularly, one of those cyanides of alcohol radicals which, by boiling with acids or alkalies, produce a carboxyl acid, with the elimination of the nitrogen as ammonia.
Note: The nitriles are named with reference to the acids produced by their decomposition, thus, hydrocyanic acid is formic nitrile, and methyl cyanide is acetic nitrile.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913