orpiment

[ awr-puh-muhnt ]

/ ˈɔr pə mənt /

Save This Word!

noun

a mineral, arsenic trisulfide, As2S3, found usually in soft, yellow, foliated masses, used as a pigment.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of orpiment

1350–1400; Middle English <Old French <Latin auripigmentum pigment of gold; see auri-¹, pigment

Words nearby orpiment

Orpheus, Orpheus and Eurydice, Orphic, Orphism, orphrey, orpiment, orpine, Orpington, Orr, orra, orrery

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use orpiment in a sentence

First, the reaction of orpiment with light created a highly mobile type of arsenic called arsenolite.
A pigment’s shift in chemistry robbed a painted yellow rose of its brilliance|Carolyn Gramling|June 8, 2022|Science News
The crystals lack the bright color of the orpiment — instead, they are colorless and flatten the flower’s appearance.
A pigment’s shift in chemistry robbed a painted yellow rose of its brilliance|Carolyn Gramling|June 8, 2022|Science News
Orpiment, which is termed ἁρσενικὁν in Greek, is dug up in Pontus.
Ten Books on Architecture|Vitruvius
Rhusma, rus′ma, n. a mixture of quicklime and orpiment, used as a depilatory.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various

The finest specimens come from Persia, in brilliant yellow masses, of a lamellar texture, called golden orpiment.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines|Andrew Ure
The finest kinds of native orpiment are reserved for artists; the inferior are used for the indigo vat.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines|Andrew Ure
Cinnabar, realgar, orpiment and coal form the rest of the mineral products of Kwei-chow.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 8|Various

British Dictionary definitions for orpiment

orpiment

/ (ˈɔːpɪmənt) /

noun

a yellow mineral consisting of arsenic trisulphide in monoclinic crystalline form occurring in association with realgar: it is an ore of arsenic. Formula: As 2 S 3

Word Origin for orpiment

C14: via Old French from Latin auripigmentum gold pigment

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012