ARSENIC Definition & Meaning

arsenic

[ noun ahr-suh-nik, ahrs-nik; adjective ahr-sen-ik ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a grayish-white element having a metallic luster, vaporizing when heated, and forming poisonous compounds. : As; : 74.92; : 33.
arsenic trioxide.
a mineral, the native element, occurring in white or gray masses.

adjective

of or containing arsenic, especially in the pentavalent state.

arsenic

noun

a toxic metalloid element, existing in several allotropic forms, that occurs principally in realgar and orpiment and as the free element. It is used in transistors, lead-based alloys, and high-temperature brasses. Symbol: As; atomic no: 33; atomic wt: 74.92159; valency: –3, 0, +3, or +5; relative density: 5.73 (grey); melting pt: 817°C at a pressure of 3MN/m² (grey); sublimes at 613°C (grey)
a nontechnical name for arsenic trioxide

adjective

of or containing arsenic, esp in the pentavalent state

arsenic

/ ä��′��ə-��ĭ�� /

A metalloid element most commonly occurring as a gray crystal, but also found as a yellow crystal and in other forms. Arsenic and its compounds are highly poisonous and are used to make insecticides, weed killers, and various alloys. Atomic number 33; atomic weight 74.922; valence 3, 5. Gray arsenic melts at 817°C (at 28 atm pressure), sublimes at 613°C, and has a specific gravity of 5.73.
See Periodic Table

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Other 51�Թ�s From

�Դǲ�a��·��i�� adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of arsenic¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English arsenicum, from Latin, from Greek ��Ծ��ó�� “orpiment” (a mineral), noun use of neuter of ��Ծ��ó�� “virile” (from á��ŧ�� “male, strong” + -ikos -ic none ), probably alteration by folk etymology of a Semitic word such as Syriac ��ī�� “orpiment,” from Middle Persian (compare Persian ��ū�� “g�Ǳ��-��Ǳ��ǰ��”; jargon ²( def ) )

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of arsenic¹

C14: from Latin arsenicum, from Greek arsenikon yellow orpiment, from Syriac ��ī�� (influenced in form by Greek arsenikos virile)

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Example Sentences

Environmental and health officials have warned that wildfire ash from burned buildings can contain hazardous substances including cancer-causing arsenic and brain-damaging lead.

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The sites are thought to contain substances such as lead or arsenic.

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In 2021, for example, the state legislature adopted rules allowing for wood coated with toxic metals like chromium and arsenic to be taken to nonhazardous waste facilities.

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But their small lab is testing for fecal bacteria - not arsenic.

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Forensic experts who exhumed his body found high levels of arsenic, which led them to believe that he, too, had been poisoned.

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