arsenic
UK /ˈɑː(ɹ).sə.nɪk/ · US /ˈɑɹsənɪk/ noun, adjective
Forms arsenics arsenick
- noun A toxic grey brittle nonmetallic chemical element (symbol As) with an atomic number of 33.
- noun (countable) A single atom of this element.
- noun Arsenic trioxide.
- adjective (chemistry) Of or containing arsenic with a valence of 5.
Synonyms
arsenic trioxide arsenous anhydride arsenous oxide white arsenic ratsbane As atomic number 33
Etymology
From Middle English arsenik, borrowed from Middle French arsenic, from Latin arsenicum, from Ancient Greek ἀρσενικόν (arsenikón, “yellow arsenic”) (influenced by ἀρσενικός (arsenikós, “potent, virile”)), from Semitic (compare Classical Syriac ܙܪܢܝܟܐ (zarnīḵā), Aramaic 𐡆𐡓𐡍𐡉𐡊𐡀 (zrnykʾ /zarnīḵā/)), from Middle Iranian *zarnīk (compare Persian زرنیخ (zirnīx /zernix, zarnīx /zarnix, “arsenic”), زرنی (zurnī /zorni), Bakhtiari زرنیق (zarniq)), from Old Median *zaraniyakā (compare Avestan 𐬰𐬀𐬭𐬀𐬥𐬌𐬌𐬀 (zaraniia, “golden”), Old Persian 𐎭𐎼𐎴𐎡𐎹 (d-r-n-i-y /daraniya-/, “gold”), Sanskrit हिरण्य (híraṇya, “gold”), Persian زر (zar, “gold”)), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰelh₃-. More at yellow.
Webster’s 1913
- noun One of the elements, a solid substance resembling a metal in its physical properties, but in its chemical relations ranking with the nonmetals. It is of a steel-gray color and brilliant luster, though usually dull from tarnish. It is very brittle, and sublimes at 356º Fahrenheit. It is sometimes found native, but usually combined with silver, cobalt, nickel, iron, antimony, or sulphur. Orpiment and realgar are two of its sulphur compounds, the first of which is the true arsenticum of the ancients. The element and its compounds are active poisons. Specific gravity from 5.7 to 5.9. Atomic weight
- noun Arsenious oxide or arsenious anhydride; --called also arsenious acid, white arsenic, and ratsbane.
- adjective Pertaining to, or derived from, arsenic; --said of those compounds of arsenic in which this element has its highest equivalence; as, arsenic acid.
Etymology [L. arsenicum, Gr. zernikh: cf. F. arsenic.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “arsenic”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details