peroxide

Definition

A divalent radical or anion containing two oxygen atoms linked by a covalent bond; any substance containing this group yields hydrogen peroxide when treated with an acid.

Etymology

From per- + oxide.

Example Sentences

• "Thus far, Dr. Petrakis said, he had found that in women with […] extractable breast fluid, the amount of lipid peroxides in the fluid was on the average seven times higher in Caucasian women than in women of Chinese de[s]cent. In addition, women with cystic breast disease, who face a higher than usual risk of breast cancer, appear to have more peroxides in their breast fluid than women with normal breasts."
• "The O–O bond in benzoyl peroxide and the C–N bonds in AIBN homolyze under thermal or photochemical conditions."