Swedish edit

Chemical element
N
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Next: syre (O)

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From kväva (suffocate). Coined by Swedish scientists Pehr von Afzelius and Anders Gustaf Ekeberg in 1795. (In contrast to the other main component of air, oxygen, it suffocates life and fire). Compare origin of German Stickstoff and Dutch stikstof.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈkvɛːˌvɛ/
  • (file)

Noun edit

kväve n

  1. nitrogen
    Synonyms: nitrogen, kvävgas, E941
    • 1905 May 31, —r, “Lantbrukarens spalt [The farmer's column]”, in Enköpings-Posten, page 3:
      Bergtallen är nämligen det enda kända skogsträd, som förmår upptaga fritt qväve ur luften, och härpå grundar sig dess stora värde [att hjälpa unga granar].
      Namely, the mountain pine is the only known forest tree that is able to absorb free nitrogen from the air, and this is the basis of its great value [to support young fir-trees].

Declension edit

Declension of kväve 
Uncountable
Indefinite Definite
Nominative kväve kvävet
Genitive kväves kvävets

References edit