Paris green

American  

noun

1. Chemistry. an emerald-green, poisonous, water-insoluble powder produced from arsenic trioxide and copper acetate: used chiefly as a pigment, insecticide, and wood preservative.

2. (sometimes lowercase) a variable hue ranging from light to vivid yellow green in color.

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Paris green British  

noun

1. an emerald-green poisonous insoluble substance used as a pigment and insecticide. It is a double salt of copper arsenite and copper acetate. Formula: 3Cu(AsO 2 ) 2 .Cu(C 2 H 3 O 2 ) 2

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Etymology

Origin of Paris green

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Bidding for a place in history as the woman who made Paris green, she has promised another city referendum.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2023

At Chateau-Thierry, in the Aisne department, just 50 miles from Paris, green U.S. forces fought alongside the French to stop the German advance in the decisive Second Battle of the Marne.

From Washington Post • Aug. 23, 2018

Other arsenic pesticides, London purple and lead arsenic, soon followed Paris green onto the market.

From Salon • Oct. 8, 2012

Even then, arsenic’s deadly toxicity was well known – Will Allen tells in his book, The War on Bugs, how farmers lost cattle after they ate potato plants treated with Paris green.

From Salon • Oct. 8, 2012

As the worms are leaf-eaters, spraying with London purple or Paris green, as for canker-worms, must kill many.

From The Apple by Various