aqua regia
noun
aqua re·gia
ˈä-kwə-ˈrē-j(ē-)ə 
ˈa-kwə-
ˈa-kwə-
: 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 well, a 0.5 gram cut from the pulp of each rock sample is dissolved by aqua regia acid digestion and analyzed by mass spectrometry for a suite of 51 additional elements.
—
Kansas City Star, 28 May 2024
Analytical values for silver, copper, zinc, and lead over detection limits are re-assayed with higher detection limits, using aqua regia digestion.
—Kansas City Star, 28 May 2024
Then, the motherboard is smashed to bits and dissolved in a highly acidic aqua regia bath, which is filtered to remove debris.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Mar. 2024
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, 2 Oct. 2017
Kansas City Star, 28 May 2024
Analytical values for silver, copper, zinc, and lead over detection limits are re-assayed with higher detection limits, using aqua regia digestion.
—Kansas City Star, 28 May 2024
Then, the motherboard is smashed to bits and dissolved in a highly acidic aqua regia bath, which is filtered to remove debris.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Mar. 2024
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, 2 Oct. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aqua regia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near aqua regia
Cite this Entry
“Aqua regia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aqua%20regia. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aqua regia
noun
aqua re·gia
ˌak-wə-ˈrē-j(ē-)ə
ˌäk-
ˌäk-
: a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids that dissolves gold or platinum
Medical Definition
aqua regia
noun
aqua re·gia
-ˈrē-j(ē-)ə
: a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids that dissolves gold or platinum
called also nitrohydrochloric acid
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