SULFUROUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sulfurous mean? 

• SULFUROUS (adjective)
  The adjective SULFUROUS has 3 senses:

1. of or related to or containing sulfur or derived from sulfur

2. harsh or corrosive in tone

3. characterized by oppressive heat and humidity

  Familiarity information: SULFUROUS used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SULFUROUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or related to or containing sulfur or derived from sulfur

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

sulfurous; sulphurous

Pertainym:

sulfur (an abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions))

Derivation:

sulfur (an abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Harsh or corrosive in tone

Synonyms:

acerb; acerbic; acid; acrid; bitter; blistering; caustic; sulfurous; sulphurous; virulent; vitriolic

Context example:

a vitriolic critique

Similar:

unpleasant (offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Characterized by oppressive heat and humidity

Synonyms:

stifling; sulfurous; sulphurous; sultry

Context example:

the sulfurous atmosphere preceding a thunderstorm

Similar:

hot (used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning)

 Context examples 

A microscopy staining method that utilizes Schiff's reagent, a solution composed of pararosanilin treated with sulfurous acid, which selectively reacts with and stains aldehydes pink to determine the presence of glycogen, mucin, mucoprotein, glycoprotein, as well as fungi.

(Periodic Acid Schiff Staining Method, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)