nitrogen

Etymology

From French nitrogène (coined by Jean-Antoine Chaptal), corresponding to nitro- + -gen. See niter.

noun

1. (uncountable) The chemical element (symbol N) with an atomic number of 7 and atomic weight of 14.0067. It is a colorless and odorless gas.
   All life depends on nitrogen; it is the building block from which nature assembles amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids; the genetic information that orders and perpetuates life is written in nitrogen ink. 2006, Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma, The Penguin Press, page 42
2. (uncountable) Molecular nitrogen (N₂), a colorless, odorless gas at room temperature.
   Volatiles of kecap manis and its raw materials were extracted using Likens-Nickerson apparatus with diethyl ether as the extraction solvent. The extracts were then dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, concentrated using a rotary evaporator followed by flushing using nitrogen until the volume was about 0.5 ml. 1997, A. J. Taylor, D. S. Mothram, editors, Flavour Science: Recent Developments, Elsevier, page 63
3. (countable) A specific nitrogen atom within a chemical formula, or a specific isotope of nitrogen
   The two nitrogens are located next to one another on the ring.