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

An industrial hygiene firm found “serious and extensive” contamination by multiple toxins, including cyanide, lithium, lead, arsenic and beryllium, according to a report reviewed by The Times.

From Los Angeles Times

The Times conducted soil tests on home lots burned by the January fires and found elevated levels of toxic metals, arsenic, lead and mercury.

From Los Angeles Times

He's laboratory focuses on how environmental stressors, including UV radiation and arsenic in drinking water, disrupt molecular pathways and damage cellular systems in ways that promote cancer.

From Science Daily

The research offers the strongest long-term evidence so far that lowering arsenic exposure can reduce mortality, even for people who lived with contaminated water for many years.

From Science Daily

Gold and silver, along with arsenic, antimony, and mercury, accumulate in the surrounding rocks.

From Science Daily