arsenic
[ noun ahr-suh-nik, ahrs-nik; adjective ahr-sen-ik ]
/ noun ˈɑr sə nɪk, ˈɑrs nɪk; adjective ɑrˈsɛn ɪk /
noun
a grayish-white element having a metallic luster, vaporizing when heated, and forming poisonous compounds. Symbol: As; atomic weight: 74.92; atomic number: 33.
a mineral, the native element, occurring in white or gray masses.
adjective ar·sen·ic [ahr-sen-ik] /ɑrˈsɛn ɪk/
of or containing arsenic, especially in the pentavalent state.
Origin of arsenic
1350–1400; Middle English
arsenicum < Latin < Greek
arsenikón orpiment, noun use of neuter of
arsenikós virile (
ársēn male, strong +
-ikos
-ic), probably alteration of Semitic word (perhaps <
*arznig, metathetic variant of Syriac
zarnig) by folk etymology
OTHER WORDS FROM arsenic
non·ar·sen·ic, adjectiveWords nearby arsenic
Example sentences from the Web for arsenic
British Dictionary definitions for arsenic
arsenic
noun (ˈɑːsnɪk)
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 (ɑːˈsɛnɪk)
of or containing arsenic, esp in the pentavalent state
Word Origin for arsenic
C14: from Latin
arsenicum, from Greek
arsenikon yellow orpiment, from Syriac
zarnīg (influenced in form by Greek
arsenikos virile)
Medical definitions for arsenic
arsenic
[ är′sə-nĭk ]
n. Symbol As
A poisonous metallic element, compounds of which are used as antamebics. Atomic number 33.
adj.
Of or containing arsenic, especially with valence 5.
Scientific definitions for arsenic
arsenic
[ är′sə-nĭk ]
As
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.