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aqua regia

noun
aqua re·​gia | \ -ˈrē-j(ē-)ə How to pronounce aqua regia (audio) \

Definition of aqua regia

: a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids that dissolves gold or platinum

Examples of aqua regia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 As German troops marched in the streets of Copenhagen, chemist George de Hevesy stashed the medals in aqua regia, an acid strong enough to dissolve gold. — National Geographic, "Nobel Prizes 2017: Facts About the Secretive Process and Peculiar Past," 2 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of aqua regia

1617, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for aqua regia

New Latin, literally, royal water

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More Definitions for aqua regia

aqua regia

noun
aqua re·​gia | \ -ˈrē-j(ē-)ə How to pronounce aqua regia (audio) \

Medical Definition of aqua regia

: a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids that dissolves gold or platinum

— called also nitrohydrochloric acid

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