nitrile
nitrile / nitrile
Noun
pl: nitriles
In industrial and medical contexts, this term usually refers to the synthetic rubber used for disposable gloves. It is preferred over latex in environments where chemical resistance is required or where users have latex allergies. In a chemical context, it describes a specific functional group. Because it is a technical classification of organic compounds, it is treated as an uncountable mass noun when referring to the chemical property or a countable noun when referring to a specific molecule.
Meanings
Nounnitrile
A synthetic rubber copolymer made from acrylonitrile and butadiene, known for its resistance to oil and chemicals.
"The technician wore nitrile gloves to protect against hazardous solvents."