aqua fortis
/ˈfɔːtɪs
/noun
Archaic term for nitric acid.The old name of nitric acid is aqua fortis meaning ‘strong water.’...
- Old time gun makers stained their stocks with aqua fortis, a combination of nitric acid diluted with distilled water and iron filings.
- Nitric acid at this phase is called aqua fortis and when it is concentrated, concentrated nitric.
Origin
Late 15th century: from Latin, literally 'strong water'.