a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues (Freq. 5) • Syn: N, atomic number 7 • Derivationally related forms: nitrogenous, nitrogenize, nitrify • Hypernyms: chemical element, element, gas • Hyponyms: azote, liquid nitrogen • Substance Holonyms: air