azo
|a-zo|
🇺🇸
/ˈeɪzoʊ/
🇬🇧
/ˈeɪzəʊ/
N=N group / nitrogen-derived
Etymology
'azo' originates from French, specifically the word 'azo' (from 'azote'), where the elements 'a-' meant 'not' and Greek 'zōē' meant 'life' (the French 'azote' = nitrogen).
'azo' developed as a chemical combining form in 19th-century chemistry from French 'azo-' (related to 'azote'), and entered English usage in terms like 'azo compound' and 'azo dye'.
Initially related to 'azote' (nitrogen) and the idea of 'lifeless' nitrogen; over time it came to denote specifically the −N=N− functional group and compounds/dyes containing that group.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an azo compound or an azo dye; a compound containing the functional group −N=N− (often used informally as 'an azo').
The researchers synthesized a new azo that showed bright red color.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
forming part of compound names to indicate relation to nitrogen or containing an azo group (−N=N−); used as a combining form in organic chemistry (as in 'azo dye').
azo dye (a dye containing an azo group)
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/07 11:12