from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Nitrile \Ni"trile\ (? or ?), n. [See {Nitro-}.] (Chem.)
Any one of a series of compounds bearing the cyanide radical
({-CN}); particularly, one of those cyanides of alcohol
radicals which, by boiling with acids or alkalies, produce a
carboxyl acid, with the elimination of the nitrogen as
ammonia.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The nitriles are named with reference to the acids
produced by their decomposition, thus, hydrocyanic acid
is {formic nitrile}, methyl cyanide is {acetonitrile}
(also {acetic nitrile}), and ethyl cyanide is
{propionitrile} (from propionic acid).
[1913 Webster +PJC]