Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A highly poisonous metallic element having several allotropic forms of which the brittle, crystalline gray metallic form is the most common. The less stable yellow allotrope has a molecular structure, As4. Arsenic and its compounds are used in insecticides, weed killers, semiconductor dopants, and various alloys. Atomic number 33; atomic weight 74.9216; valence 3, 5. Gray arsenic melts at 817°C (at 28 atm pressure), sublimes at 616°C, and has a specific gravity of 5.75. cross-reference: Periodic Table.
- noun Arsenic trioxide.
- adjective Of or containing arsenic, especially with valence 5.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A yellow mineral, called specifically yellow arsenic; the trisulphid of the element to which it has given its name; orpiment.
- noun Chemical symbol, As; atomic weight, 75. A chemical element having a grayish-white color, a metallic luster, and a specific gravity of 5.727.
- noun The popular name of arsenic trioxid (As2O3), the preparation of arsenic usually retailed in trade. See above.
- Containing arsenic; specifically, containing arsenic in smaller proportion than arsenious compounds. See
arsenious .
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, arsenic; -- said of those compounds of arsenic in which this element has its highest equivalence.
- noun (Chem.) 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 356° 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
arsenicum of the ancients. The element and its compounds are active poisons. Specific gravity from 5.7 to 5.9. Atomic weight 75. Symbol As. - noun (Com.) Arsenious oxide or arsenious anhydride; -- called also
arsenious acid ,white arsenic , andratsbane .
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
nonmetallic chemical element (symbol As) with anatomic number of 33. - noun
Arsenic trioxide . - adjective Of, or containing arsenic with a
valence of 5.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a white powdered poisonous trioxide of arsenic; used in manufacturing glass and as a pesticide (rat poison) and weed killer
- noun a very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms; arsenic and arsenic compounds are used as herbicides and insecticides and various alloys; found in arsenopyrite and orpiment and realgar
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The name arsenic comes from the Greek word arsenikon, which means orpiment.
Arsenic 2009
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Reed believes her son has reason to worry because "arsenic is poison."
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However, the regulator, usually a lawyer, knows that arsenic is a poison.
The Volokh Conspiracy » More on Behavioral Economics and Regulatory Policy: 2010
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Can we at least agree that a “regulator” can say that consuming arsenic is not “good” for someone?
The Volokh Conspiracy » More on Behavioral Economics and Regulatory Policy: 2010
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However, the regulator, usually a lawyer, knows that arsenic is a poison.
The Volokh Conspiracy » More on Behavioral Economics and Regulatory Policy: 2010
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The toxic compounds in arsenic are arsenate and arsenite.
Weird Stones Heather McDougal 2007
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The toxic compounds in arsenic are arsenate and arsenite.
Archive 2007-07-01 Heather McDougal 2007
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Discovered in the southeastern U.S. by university researchers, this beautiful fern has a unique ability to soak up arsenic from the ground into its fronds, which may be clipped and disposed of safely.
Archive 2006-03-01 2006
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Use the edenfern soil cleaner if you know arsenic is in the ground, or even 'just in case' - because whether or not arsenic is present, the fern serves as an attractive addition to a lawn or garden.
Edenfern™ 2006
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Discovered in the southeastern U.S. by university researchers, this beautiful fern has a unique ability to soak up arsenic from the ground into its fronds, which may be clipped and disposed of safely.
Edenfern™ 2006
oroboros commented on the word arsenic
Can be spelled with the Periodic Table of Elements symbols: ArSeNiC
December 12, 2006
oroboros commented on the word arsenic
As.
December 16, 2007
PossibleUnderscore commented on the word arsenic
Results in vomiting and diarrhoea and very bad stomach pains. You can die within an hour. It used to be very popular in the Victorian times, as paint and dye.
August 18, 2009
qroqqa commented on the word arsenic
* changes mind about going to PossibleUnderscore's dinner party *
August 18, 2009
tbtabby commented on the word arsenic
Arsenic-based DNA discovered on Titan!
December 3, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the word arsenic
Ha!
December 3, 2010
qroqqa commented on the word arsenic
Having read XKCD first, I didn't realize that arsenic-based life really has been discovered. It's a bacterium that can replace much of its phosphorus with arsenic. (via 3quarksdaily)
December 3, 2010
vendingmachine commented on the word arsenic
Arsenic was virtually undetectable until the marsh test was developed. The test was able to detect the presence of arsenic in drinks and food. The marsh test is a highly sensitive method in the detection of arsenic. It was developed by the chemist James Marsh and first published in 1836.
Arsenic is odorless, easily incorporated into food and drink, and before the marsh test, untraceable in the body. In France, arsenic came to be known <i>poudre de succession<i> ("inheritance powder").
February 27, 2015