sulphite (sulfit)

[= F. sulfite; as sul L. vinum, wine, + -ic.] Pertaining to, derived from, or containing sulphuric acid and alcohol, or spirit of wine. Sulphovinic acid, C2H5HSO4, ethyl hydrogen sulphate, or ethyl sulphuric acid, a colorle oily liquid with strong acid properties, prepared by the action of oil of vitriol on alcohol. It may be regarded as sulphuric acid in which one hydrogen atom has been replaced by the radical ethyl CoH5. It is a monobasic acid, and forms a series of crystallizable salts. soul = sulphur (sul'fer), n. and a. [Early mod. E. sul pher, sulfer; ph ( ur ) + -ite2.] A salt of sulphurous acid. The swebal, MHG. swevel, swebel, G. schwefel = Sw. sulphites are recognized by giving off the suffocating smell of sulphurous acid when acted on by a stronger acid. A very close analogy exists between them and the carbonates. - Sulphite pulp, in paper - manuf., pulp made from wood, straw, esparto, and other vegetable products, by the action of a solution of a sulphite of an alkaline earth, as lime, or of an alkali, as soda, that contains an exce of sulphurous acid.