ARSENIC Definition & Meaning

arsenic

[ahr-suh-nik, ahrs-nik, 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

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� Forms

nonarsenic 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 ), 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

Examples have not been reviewed.

The county has used 12 mg/kg as a reference level, based on an estimate of the highest naturally occurring arsenic levels in all of Southern California.

From

The Times found two properties cleared by the Army Corps in Altadena still had contamination above the state’s typical health-based cleanup goals: one arsenic, one lead.

From

This is virtually always the case for arsenic, which has a health-based level of 0.032 mg/kg, but often naturally occurs in California at levels ranging from 2 to 11 mg/kg.

From

The lab results also showed arsenic in amounts higher than federal and state levels, but below another common level used in California.

From

But another possible source could have been from repeated applications of fertilizers containing lead and arsenic that were widely used over the last century, Wallace said.

From

arsenate arsenic acid

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