Manganous \Man"ga*nous\, a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, designating, those compounds of manganese in which the element has a lower valence as contrasted with {manganic} compounds; as, manganous oxide. [1913 Webster] {Manganous acid}, a hypothetical compound analogous to sulphurous acid, and forming the so-called manganites. [1913 Webster]