a. Chem. and Electr. [f. mod.L. zinc-um ZINC + -OUS.] Pertaining to or of the nature of zinc; having the affinity of zinc; relatively electropositive. (Opp. to CHLOROUS.)
1842. T. Graham, Elem. Chem., 204. The zincous pole.
1868. Fownes’ Chem. (ed. 10), 277. It is true in a general way that those elements which differ most strongly in their electrical characters, chlorine and potassium, for example, are likewise those which combine together with the greatest energy: and the division of bodies into electro-positive and electro-negative is therefore retained; the former are also called acid or chlorous, and the latter basylous or zincous.
