Of, pertaining to, or derived from, chlorine; said of those compounds of chlorine in which this element has a valence of three, the next lower than in chloric compounds; as, chlorous acid, HClO2.
2.
(Chem. Physics) Pertaining to, or resembling, the electro-negative character of chlorine; hence, electro-negative; opposed to basylous or zincous. (Obs.)