Nī'tro-gen, n.

n. [Fr. nitrogène, from Lat. nitrum, Gr. νίτρον, and Lat. genere, gignere, Gr. γενεῖν, γείνεσθαι, γενέσθαι, γίγνεσθαι, to produce, bring forth.] (Chem.) A gaseous element, without taste, odor, or color, forming nearly four fifths of common air, and incapable of supporting life; azote. It is almost inert, chemically, but forms, by combination, nitric acid and ammonia, and is uniformly present in animal tissues. Its specific gravity is 0.94; its atomic weight, 14.