Chem. Also 8–9 azot. [a. F. azote, f. Gr. ἀ priv. + ζώ-ειν = ζά-ειν to live, ζωή life. Littré points out that this word (like oxygen) is not etymologically formed, since Gr. ἄζωτος means ‘ungirt.’] The name given by Lavoisier, from its inability to support life, to the gas now known as nitrogen.
1791. E. Darwin, Bot. Gard., I. 73, note. Azote … combined with Calorique or heat, forms azotic gas … and composes two thirds of the atmosphere.
1791. Hamilton, Berthollet’s Dyeing, I. I. II. i. Azot in its elastic form constitutes … phlogisticated gas.
1848. Carpenter, Anim. Phys., 25. Most plants require the element nitrogen or azote as one of the materials of their growth.
b. fig. 1850. McCosh, Div. Govt., II. ii. (1874), 209. Unlike that air, all azote, of which the Atheist breathes.
1865. W. Palgrave, Arabia, I. 149. The noxious Wahhabee atmosphere, the purest azote of Mahometanism.
Hence: † Azotane [see -ANE 2 a], Davy’s name for Chloride of Nitrogen. Azotine, a residuum of melted wool, rich in nitrogen, resulting from the action of superheated steam on mixed cotton and woollen rags. † Azotite, a salt of azotous acid, a nitrite. † Azotous, a., nitrous. † Azoturet, a nitride. Azotometer, an apparatus for measuring the amount of nitrogen present.
1827. Faraday, Chem. Manip., xix. 501. Tube syringes … for the removal of azotane.
1884. Manch. Exam., 20 Oct., 7/1. The residue, which has received the name of azotine … is valuable on account of its nitrogen.
1854. Scoffern, in Orr’s Circ. Sc., Chem. 326. Hyponitrous acid, termed by Graham … azotous, or nitrous acid.
1819. Children, Chem. Anal., 110. Azoturet of potassium or sodium … the compound formed by heating potassium or sodium in dry ammoniacal gas.
1876. Catal. Sci. App. S. Kens., No. 2564. Improved Azotometer.
