\Sul*phu"ric\, a. [Cf. F. sulfurique.]
1. Of or pertaining to sulphur; as, a sulphuric smell.
2. (Chem.) Derived from, or containing, sulphur;
   specifically, designating those compounds in which the
   element has a higher valence as contrasted with the
   sulphurous compounds; as, sulphuric acid.
{Sulphuric acid}.
   (a) Sulphur trioxide (see under {Sulphur}); -- formerly so
       called on the dualistic theory of salts. [Obs.]
   (b) A heavy, corrosive, oily liquid, {H2SO4}, colorless
       when pure, but usually yellowish or brownish, produced
       by the combined action of sulphur dioxide, oxygen
       (from the air), steam, and nitric fumes. It attacks
       and dissolves many metals and other intractable
       substances, sets free most acids from their salts, and
       is used in the manufacture of hydrochloric and nitric
       acids, of soda, of bleaching powders, etc. It is also
       powerful dehydrating agent, having a strong affinity
       for water, and eating and corroding paper, wood,
       clothing, etc. It is thus used in the manufacture of
       ether, of imitation parchment, and of nitroglycerin.
       It is also used in etching iron, in removing iron
       scale from forgings, in petroleum refining, etc., and
       in general its manufacture is the most important and
       fundamental of all the chemical industries. Formerly
       called {vitriolic acid}, and now popularly {vitriol},
       and {oil of vitriol}.
{Fuming sulphuric acid}, or {Nordhausen sulphuric acid}. See
   {Disulphuric acid}, under {Disulphuric}.
{Sulphuric anhydride}, sulphur trioxide. See under {Sulphur}.
{Sulphuric ether}, common an[ae]sthetic ether; -- so called
   because made by the catalytic action of sulphuric acid on
   alcohol. See {Ether}, 3
   (a) .