azote

[In Fr. azote; from Gr. a, priv., and ζωτικός (zōtikos) = fit for giving and in a int a in ing life; ζωή ( zōe ) = life; ζάω ( ταō ) = to live.] A name once all but universally used for what is now more frequently terined nitrogen. [NITROGEN.] It was so called because when breathed, uncombined with oxygen, it has fatal effects upon animal life.