blue vitriol

American  

noun

Chemistry, Mineralogy.

1. a salt, copper sulfate, CuSO 4 ⋅5H 2 O, occurring naturally as large transparent, deep-blue triclinic crystals, appearing in its anhydrous state as a white powder: used chiefly as a mordant, insecticide, fungicide, and in engraving.

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blue vitriol British  

noun

1. the fully hydrated blue crystalline form of copper sulphate

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blue vitriol Scientific  

1. A blue, crystalline compound of copper sulfate. Blue vitriol is soluble in water, and is a very important industrial salt of copper. It is used in insecticides and germicides, in electrolytes for batteries, and in electroplating baths. Chemical formula: CuSO ₄ ·5H ₂ O.

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Etymology

Origin of blue vitriol

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

blue vitriol

I practice spraying with blue vitriol for codling-moth.

From The Apple by Various

Rust of iron, filings of iron, salt of steel, sal martis, blue vitriol, white vitriol, calomel, emetic tartar, sugar of lead, white arsenic.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus

By placing crystals of blue vitriol in the battery jar, the solution of blue vitriol can be kept up to its full strength for a very long time.

From The Story of Great Inventions by Burns, Elmer Ellsworth

If he couldn’t get along any other way, he could fill his pockets with brimstone matches, and his boots full of blue vitriol.

From The Witches of New York by Doesticks, Q. K. Philander

Dissolve arsenic in water along with vegetable alcali, add to this a solution of blue vitriol in water, and the mixture becomes of a fine green, which gradually precipitates, as discovered by Bergman.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus