blue vitriol

American  

noun

Chemistry, Mineralogy.

1. a salt, copper sulfate, CuSO 4 ⋅5H 2 O, occurring naturally as large transparent, deep-blue triclinic crystals, appearing in its anhydrous state as a white powder: used chiefly as a mordant, insecticide, fungicide, and in engraving.

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blue vitriol British  

noun

1. the fully hydrated blue crystalline form of copper sulphate

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blue vitriol Scientific  

1. A blue, crystalline compound of copper sulfate. Blue vitriol is soluble in water, and is a very important industrial salt of copper. It is used in insecticides and germicides, in electrolytes for batteries, and in electroplating baths. Chemical formula: CuSO ₄ ·5H ₂ O.

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Etymology

Origin of blue vitriol

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

blue vitriol

"We can use this or take some of the copper ore, that is, the blue vitriol part of the ore, and by putting it in a lime-water solution a beautiful blue color can be obtained."

From The Wonder Island Boys: Exploring the Island by Finlay, Roger Thompson

A single grain of sulphate of copper, or blue vitriol, will communicate a fine azure tint to five gallons of water.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 1: Deposition to Eberswalde by Various

This is always cured by washing in blue vitriol.

From Soil Culture by Walden, J. H.

Dissolve blue vitriol in water, till the water is well impregnated with it; and immerse into the solution small plates of iron, or coarse iron filings.

From Endless Amusement A Collection of Nearly 400 Entertaining Experiments by Unknown

Dissolve arsenic in water along with vegetable alcali, add to this a solution of blue vitriol in water, and the mixture becomes of a fine green, which gradually precipitates, as discovered by Bergman.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus