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.

---

blue vitriol British  

noun

1. the fully hydrated blue crystalline form of copper sulphate

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of blue vitriol

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

I have sprayed after the blossom fell, with Paris green, London purple, and blue vitriol; don't know that I reduced the codling-moth any.

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

Some stuff made in Shoreditch of common blue vitriol and turpentine.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 98, May 17, 1890. by Various

M. M. A grain of dried squill, and a quarter of a grain of blue vitriol every hour for six or eight hours, unless it vomit or purge.

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

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