Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - nitrogen

n. Chem. a colourless tasteless odourless gaseous element that forms four-fifths of the atmosphere and is an essential constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. Usage Symb.: N. Phrases and idioms nitrogen cycle the interconversion of nitrogen and its compounds, usu. in the form of nitrates, in nature. nitrogen fixation a chemical process in which atmospheric nitrogen is assimilated into organic compounds in living organisms and hence into the nitrogen cycle. Derivatives nitrogenous adj. Etymology: F nitrog{egrave}ne (as NITRO-, -GEN)