noun
vitriol
An old name for sulfuric acid.
The old chemistry manual lists sulfuric acid under the name vitriol.
Etymology
Vitriol first named glasslike crystalline sulfates. Sulfuric acid was known as oil of vitriol because it was prepared from those substances.
More examples
- The museum label identifies the bottle's contents as vitriol.
- The factory's early workers used vitriol to treat metal.
- Sulfuric acid was once commonly called oil of vitriol.
Forms
vitriol
Similar words
- sulfuric acid
- The modern chemical name for the same substance.