cacodyl

[ kak-uh-dil ]

adjective

1. containing the cacodyl group.

noun

1. an oily, slightly water-soluble, poisonous liquid compound composed of two cacodyl groups, (CH 3 ) 2 As−As(CH 3 ) 2 , that has a vile, garliclike odor and that undergoes spontaneous combustion in dry air.

cacodyl

/ ˈkækədaɪl; ˌkækəˈdɪlɪk /

noun

1. an oily poisonous liquid with a strong garlic smell; tetramethyldiarsine. Formula: [(CH 3 ) 2 As] 2

Derived Forms

• cacodylic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cacodyl¹

1840–50; < Greek kakṓd ( ēs ) ill-smelling ( kak ( o )- caco- + -ōd- smell + -ēs adj. suffix) + -yl

Word History and Origins

Origin of cacodyl¹

C19: from Greek kakōdēs evil-smelling (from kakos caco- + ozein to smell) + -yl

Example Sentences

The dimethyl arsine (or cacodyl) compounds have been most studied.

From Project Gutenberg

Simultaneously with his work on cacodyl, he was studying the composition of the gases given off from blast furnaces.

From Project Gutenberg