osmium tetroxide

noun

: a crystalline compound OsO₄ that is an oxide of osmium, has a poisonous irritating vapor, and is used as a catalyst, oxidizing agent, and biological fixative and stain

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

osmium tetroxide

noun

: a crystalline compound OsO₄ that is an oxide of osmium, has a poisonous irritating vapor, and is used chiefly as a catalyst, as an oxidizing and hydroxylating agent (as in the conversion of alkenes to glycols), and as a biological fixative and stain (as for fatty substances in cytology)

called also osmic acid