reducing agent

2 definitions found

reducing agent - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Reducing agent \Re*du"cing a`gent\, n. (Chem.)
     a substance that causes reduction of another substance in a
     chemical reaction, as by donating electrons or adding
     hydrogen atoms; as, lithium hydride is a powerful reducing
     agent.
     [PJC]

reducing agent - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  reducing agent
      n 1: a substance capable of bringing about the reduction of
           another substance as it itself is oxidized; used in
           photography to lessen the density of a negative or print by
           oxidizing some of the loose silver [syn: reducing agent,
           reducer, reductant]