noun
arsenic
AH-suh-nihk
noun
1
A toxic grey chemical element, long associated with poisoning.
"Traces of arsenic were found in the old well water."
adj
1
Relating to or containing arsenic.
"The compound is classed as an arsenic derivative."
How to Use Arsenic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA poisonous metallic element, historically infamous as a murder weapon.
Common pairings
arsenic poisoning
traces of arsenic
laced with arsenic
Word Forms
arsenics plural
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Etymology
From Greek arsenikon ("yellow orpiment"), itself borrowed from an older Middle Eastern word for a golden mineral — later linked by folk-etymology to Greek arsenikos, "male" or "potent."