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 Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah

The formula for cyanide of cacodyl is 'Me-2CY.'

From Average Jones by Adams, Samuel Hopkins

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

From Raffles, Further Adventures of the Amateur Cracksman by Hornung, E. W. (Ernest William)

"After that accident I believe the work on cacodyl oxide and phosgene was suspended and I believe that work was carried out on chlorine or chlorine compounds."

From The Riddle of the Rhine; chemical strategy in peace and war by Lefebure, Victor

In the '40's, Bunsen, the German chemist, combined oxide of cacodyl with cyanogen, a radical of prussic acid, producing cyanide of cacodyl, or diniethyl arsine cyanide.

From Average Jones by Adams, Samuel Hopkins