ammonia
UK[əˈməʊniə]US[əˈmoʊniə]
n
A colourless gas with a strong, unpleasant smell, used in making many chemicals, fertilizers, and explosives.
n
A solution of this gas in water, used as a cleaning substance.
Etymology
The word 'ammonia' has a geographical and mythological origin. It derives from the Latin 'sal ammoniacus' (salt of Ammon), named for ammonium chloride salts which were historically collected near the temple of the Egyptian god Jupiter Ammon in the Libyan desert. The modern chemical name was abstracted from this early term for the salt by the Swedish chemist Torbern Bergman in 1782. Thus, the journey is from a specific place-name associated with a deity to a general term for a fundamental chemical compound.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword. It originates from the Latin 'sal ammoniacus' meaning "salt of Ammon," referring to a salt obtained near the temple of Jupiter Ammon in ancient Libya. The modern chemical term was coined in the late 18th century.
Examples
The strong smell of ammonia is common in many household cleaning products.
Industrial production of ammonia is a key process in manufacturing fertilizers.
The lab technician was careful not to inhale the fumes from the concentrated ammonia.