mercuric chloride

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, water-soluble, strongly acrid, highly poisonous solid, HgCl 2 , prepared by sublimation of chlorine with mercury, and used chiefly as an antiseptic.

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mercuric chloride British  

noun

1. Also called: bichloride of mercury.   corrosive sublimate.  Systematic name: mercury(II) chloride.  a white poisonous soluble crystalline substance used as a pesticide, antiseptic, and preservative for wood. Formula: HgCl 2

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Etymology

Origin of mercuric chloride

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Then add a few drops of solution of mercuric chloride; the surface of the mercury will become level, read and record its new position.

From Project Gutenberg

Double salts of cerous chloride with stannic chloride, mercuric chloride, and platinic chloride are also known.

From Project Gutenberg

Long continued boiling with water gives mercury and mercuric chloride; dilute hydrochloric acid or solutions of alkaline chlorides convert it into mercuric chloride on long boiling.

From Project Gutenberg

In all these cases of partial decomposition some of the mercurous chloride—the calomel—is changed into soluble mercuric chloride and metallic mercury.

From Project Gutenberg

It is true that mercuric chloride is very effective, but I cannot think of a single modern reason to use it.

From Project Gutenberg