copperas

American  

[kop-er-uhs] / ˈkɒp ər əs /

noun

Chemistry.

1. ferrous sulfate.

---

copperas British  

/ ˈkɒpərəs /

noun

1. a less common name for ferrous sulphate

---

Etymology

Origin of copperas

1400–50; late Middle English coperas, variant of Middle English coperose < Medieval Latin ( aqua ) cuprōsa copperish (water). See copper ¹, -ose ¹

Example Sentences

Early mine operators realized that they could also extract copper from copperas.

From Washington Times • Jul. 3, 2017

Remedies are variously compounded, of blue vitriol, verdigris, tar, spirits of turpentine, alum, saltpetre, salt, lime, copperas, white-lead, antimony, alcohol, urine, vinegar, &c., all of which have proved effectual.

From Domestic Animals History and description of the horse, mule, cattle, sheep, swine, poultry and farm dogs; with directions for their management, breeding, crossing, rearing, feeding, and preparation for a profitable market; also their diseases and remedies. Together with full directions for the management of the dairy. by Allen, Richard L.

Among other lining materials found suitable were soapstone, alumina, ammonia, copperas, starch, Epsom salts, and gypsum, paper, pulp, and alum, and a mixture of various other materials.

From Inventions in the Century by Doolittle, William Henry

Zinc dissolved in diluted vitriolic acid, yields much inflammable air, and has a residuum, which appears to be plumbago, and the liquor forms crystals, called white copperas.

From Heads of Lectures on a Course of Experimental Philosophy: Particularly Including Chemistry by Priestley, Joseph

I am tired of nosing drains and buying copperas and hounding the latent plumber that he adjust the water-pipes.

From Rosemary and Rue by Amber