\Ni"trile\ (? or ?), n. [See {Nitro-}.] (Chem.)
Any one of a series of cyanogen compounds; particularly, one
of those cyanides of alcohol radicals which, by boiling with
acids or alkalies, produce a carboxyl acid, with the
elimination of the nitrogen as ammonia.
Note: The nitriles are named with reference to the acids
      produced by their decomposition, thus, hydrocyanic acid
      is {formic nitrile}, and methyl cyanide is {acetic
      nitrile}.