denitration
|de-ni-tra-tion|
🇺🇸
/diːˌnaɪˈtreɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/dɪˌnaɪˈtreɪʃən/
removal of nitrate/nitro
Etymology
'denitration' originates from Modern English, formed by the prefix 'de-' (meaning 'removal' or 'reversal') + 'nitrate'/'nitration' (relating to nitrate or nitro groups).
'nitrate' itself comes from Medieval Latin 'nitratus' (from Latin 'nitrum' or earlier 'natron' from Arabic 'natrun'); the English construction 'denitration' is a modern formation using the productive prefix 'de-' plus the chemical noun stem 'nitration.'
Initially it was formed to indicate the reversal or removal of nitrate/nitro functionality in a compound; over time it has been applied both to organic chemistry (removal of nitro groups) and to environmental processes (removal of nitrate from soil/water).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the chemical process of removing a nitro group (−NO2) or nitrate moiety from an organic molecule or compound.
The denitration of the aromatic compound was achieved by catalytic hydrogenolysis.
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Noun 2
the removal of nitrate (NO3−) or related nitrogen compounds from soil, water, or waste streams — often used interchangeably with or in reference to denitrification in environmental contexts.
Denitration of the wastewater was necessary to meet discharge regulations.
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Last updated: 2025/10/23 10:05