Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for ratsbane. Search instead for ratsbanes.

ratsbane

American  
[rats-beyn] / ˈrætsˌbeɪn /

noun

  1. rat poison.

  2. the trioxide of arsenic.


ratsbane British  
/ ˈrætsˌbeɪn /

noun

  1. rat poison, esp arsenic oxide

"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

Etymology

Origin of ratsbane

First recorded in 1515–25; rat + 's 1 + bane

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Resager is ratsbane or arsenic. ffyftlye You expounde not Resager, beinge a terme of Alchymye; as you leave manye of them vntouched.

From Animaduersions uppon the annotacions and corrections of some imperfections of impressiones of Chaucer's workes 1865 edition by Kingsley, G. H. (George Henry)

If there are rat holes have them stopped with pieces of brick, and broken glass bottles; never use ratsbane without the greatest caution, as it is a dangerous remedy.

From Domestic Cookery, Useful Receipts, and Hints to Young Housekeepers by Lea, Elizabeth E. (Elizabeth Ellicott)

Even Featley was struck by it, and called it "a little ratsbane in a great quantity of sugar," and became somewhat more civil in consequence.

From The Life of John Milton Volume 3 1643-1649 by Masson, David

That town is ratsbane and nightshade in my mouth!

From Master Skylark by Bennett, John

They are hyphenated unless very common, in which case they are closed up; crane’s-bill, ratsbane.

From Compound Words Typographic Technical Series for Apprentices #36 by Hamilton, Frederick W. (Frederick William)

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "ratsbane" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com