Sulfite
/ˈsʌl.faɪt/noun
A salt or ester of sulfurous acid, containing the sulfite ion SO3²−.
Did you know?The word *sulfite* was coined in modern chemistry from *sulfur* plus the suffix *-ite*, which marks a salt or mineral, so its name is literally a lab-made label rather than an ancient magical word.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Latin
Latin
sulfur
“Sulfur, the yellow burning element associated with volcanic fire.”
Middle Latin
Latin
sulfur-
“A combining form used in chemical terms for sulfur compounds.”
19th Century
English
sulfite
“A chemical term for a salt of sulfurous acid.”
Modern English
English
sulfite
“A salt or ester of sulfurous acid.”