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

/ är′sə-nĭk /

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 Words From

nonar·senic adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of arsenic¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English arsenicum, from Latin, from Greek arsenikón “orpiment” (a mineral), noun use of neuter of arsenikós “virile” (from ársēn “male, strong” + -ikos -ic none ), probably alteration by folk etymology of a Semitic word such as Syriac zarnīkā “orpiment,” from Middle Persian (compare Persian zargūn “gold-colored”; jargon ²( def ) )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of arsenic¹

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

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Example Sentences

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

About a third of the properties — more than 4,200 — still had toxic chemicals in excess of the state’s cleanup standards, including brain-damaging lead and cancer-causing arsenic.

From Los Angeles Times

County wildfires broke out, air samples measured “highly elevated levels” of lead and arsenic more than a dozen miles downwind of the Eaton fire, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

From Los Angeles Times

arsenate arsenic acid

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