Osmic

[Sarah]

Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, osmium;specifically, designating those compounds in which it has a valencehigher than in other lower compounds; as, osmic oxide. Osmic acid.(Chem.) (a) Osmic tetroxide. [Obs.] (b) Osmic acid proper, an acidanalogous to sulphuric acid, not known in the free state, but forminga well-known and stable series of salts (osmates), which wereformerly improperly called osmites.-- Osmic tetroxide (Chem.), a white volatile crystalline substance,OsO4, the most stable and characteristic of the compounds of osmium.It has a burning taste, and gives off a vapor, which is a powerfulirritant poison, violently attacking the eyes, and emitting a strongchlorinelike odor. Formerly improperly called osmic acid.