KMnO4

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Potassium \Po*tas"si*um\, n. [NL. See {Potassa}, {Potash}.]
     (Chem.)
     An Alkali element, occurring abundantly but always combined,
     as in the chloride, sulphate, carbonate, or silicate, in the
     minerals sylvite, kainite, orthoclase, muscovite, etc. Atomic
     weight 39.0. Symbol K (Kalium).


     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: It is reduced from the carbonate as a soft white metal,
           lighter than water, which oxidizes with the greatest
           readiness, and, to be preserved, must be kept under
           liquid hydrocarbons, as naphtha or kerosene. Its
           compounds are very important, being used in glass
           making, soap making, in fertilizers, and in many drugs
           and chemicals.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     {Potassium permanganate}, the salt {KMnO4}, crystallizing in
        dark red prisms having a greenish surface color, and
        dissolving in water with a beautiful purple red color; --
        used as an oxidizer and disinfectant. The name {chameleon
        mineral} is applied to this salt and also to potassium
        manganate.
  
     {Potassium bitartrate}. See {Cream of tartar}, under {Cream}.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Chameleon \Cha*me"le*on\ (k[.a]*m[=e]"l[-e]*[u^]n), n. [L.
     Chamaeleon, Gr. chamaile`wn, lit., "ground lion;" chamai` on
     the ground + le`wn lion. See {Humble}, and {Lion}.] (Zool.)
     1. A lizardlike reptile of the genus {Cham[ae]leo}, of
        several species, found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The
        skin is covered with fine granulations; it has eyes which
        can move separately, the tail is prehensile, and the body
        is much compressed laterally, giving it a high back. It is
        remarkable for its ability to change the color of its skin
        to blend with its surroundings. [Also sometimes spelled
        {chamaeleon}.]
        [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
     Note: Its color changes more or less with the color of the
           objects about it, or with its temper when disturbed. In
           a cool, dark place it is nearly white, or grayish; on
           admitting the light, it changes to brown, bottle-green,
           or blood red, of various shades, and more or less
           mottled in arrangment. The American chameleons belong
           to {Anolis} and allied genera of the family
           {Iguanid[ae]}. They are more slender in form than the
           true chameleons, but have the same power of changing
           their colors.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. a person who changes opinions, ideas, or behavior to suit
        the prevailing social climate; an opportunist.
        [PJC]
  
     {Chameleon mineral} (Chem.), the compound called {potassium
        permanganate}, a dark violet, crystalline substance,
        {KMnO4}, which in formation passes through a peculiar
        succession of color from green to blue, purple, red, etc.
        See {Potassium permanganate}, under {Potassium}.
        [1913 Webster]