cuprous

adjective

cu·​prous ˈkyü-prəs How to pronounce cuprous (audio)
ˈkü-
: of, relating to, or containing copper with a valence of one

Examples of cuprous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The coating is made up of cuprous oxide, a reddish chemical compound commonly found in ceramic paints and glazes, as well as in antifouling paints meant to keep marine life, like barnacles, from sticking to a ship's hull. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 20 July 2020 For the first time, researchers have used light to control the shape of nanoparticles and create micron-size hollow shells from crystals of cuprous oxide (copper and oxygen). Leto Sapunar, Scientific American, 22 Feb. 2020 Illuminating a cuprous oxide microcrystal excites its electrons, which join with copper ions to form regular copper atoms. Leto Sapunar, Scientific American, 22 Feb. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cuprous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cuprous was in 1669

Dictionary Entries Near cuprous

Cite this Entry

“Cuprous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cuprous. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!