cacodyl

American  

[kak-uh-dil] / ˈkæk ə dɪl /

adjective

1. containing the cacodyl group.

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noun

1. an oily, slightly water-soluble, poisonous liquid compound composed of two cacodyl groups, (CH3 ) 2 As−As(CH3 ) 2 , that has a vile, garliclike odor and that undergoes spontaneous combustion in dry air.

cacodyl British  

/ ˈkækədaɪl, ˌkækəˈdɪlɪk /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• cacodylic adjective

Etymology

Origin of cacodyl

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

Example Sentences

A spontaneously inflammable liquid, having a repulsive odor, and consisting of cacodyl and its oxidation products; Ð called also Cadel's fuming liquid.

From Project Gutenberg

The knowledge of compound radicals received further increment at the hands of Robert W. Bunsen, the discoverer of the cacodyl compounds.

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

"What do you know about cacodyl?" was his impressive question.

From Project Gutenberg

It is cyanide of cacodyl, and I have carried that small flask of it about with me for months.

From Project Gutenberg