arsenic

American  

[ahr-suh-nik, ahrs-nik, ahr-sen-ik] / ˈɑr sə nɪk, ˈɑrs nɪk, ɑrˈsɛn ɪk /

noun

1. a grayish-white element having a metallic luster, vaporizing when heated, and forming poisonous compounds. As; 74.92; 33.

2. arsenic trioxide.

3. a mineral, the native element, occurring in white or gray masses.

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adjective

1. of or containing arsenic, especially in the pentavalent state.

arsenic British  

noun

1. 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)

2. a nontechnical name for arsenic trioxide

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adjective

1. of or containing arsenic, esp in the pentavalent state

arsenic Scientific  

/ är′sə-nĭk /

1. 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.

2. See Periodic Table

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Other Word Forms

• nonarsenic adjective

Etymology

Origin of arsenic

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 ), 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. ) )

Example Sentences

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary last summer told Fox News that “moms want baby formula without seed oil, without corn syrup, without added sugar, without arsenic and lead and other heavy metals.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Gallium is processed with nitrogen and arsenic to make substrates for high-performance semiconductors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lead is the heaviest of the heavy metals and, like mercury and arsenic, it accumulates in living tissue and is harmful even at low concentrations.

From Science Daily

On indoor surfaces, the consultants found two areas with lead and one with arsenic, spaces they recleaned and retested to make sure those metals were no longer present.

From Los Angeles Times

The primary reason for soil testing is to prevent harmful exposures to toxic metals, such as brain-damaging lead or cancer-causing arsenic.

From Los Angeles Times