cuprous

1 9.9

A compound that contains copper atoms with one positive charge

adjective
/ˈkjuːprəs/

Specialized

: cuproso

Cuprous chloride is often used in chemical reactions that require a +1 oxidation state of copper.

Examples

As we cross it, the cuprous glow of the sand switches to Gray, the scorching heat instantly cools, and perhaps most notably, the little sound there was is negated entirely.
In the experiment, we observed that the cuprous solutions reacted differently than those containing cupric ions.
A simple DIY version may be assembled using copper flashing that has been heated until a layer of cuprous oxide forms on the sheet.

Blog text (6)
The laboratory tested the soil for cuprous compounds to determine the copper levels present.

Surface Forms

cuprous positive

Morphology

cuprous = copper (semi-transparent) = cupr + ous

Formally derived from a root meaning 'copper' with the productive adjectival suffix '-ous'; a general learner can infer 'relating to copper' but not the technical '+1 oxidation state' nuance.

Etymology

Cuprous comes from the Latin cuprum, the old name for copper from the island 'Cyprus', so it means 'containing copper'. In chemistry, cuprous is used for copper in the '+1 form', which is why it names compounds where copper has one positive charge.