noun
Uncommon
arsenic
AH-suh-nihk
Arsenic (noun) means a toxic grey chemical element, long associated with poisoning. Example: “Traces of arsenic were found in the old well water.”
noun
1
A toxic grey chemical element, long associated with poisoning.
"The mining industry also had a hand in two other rollbacks. One was a decision to withdraw a Clinton rule that reduced by 80 percent the permissible standard for arsenic in drinking water."
— , Environmental Rollbacks (2001)
"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
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Word forms
- Plural
- arsenics
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Traces of _____ were found in the old well water.
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."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for arsenic
See all rhymes for arsenic →Frequently asked questions
What does “arsenic” mean?
The word “arsenic” means a toxic grey chemical element, long associated with poisoning. In plain terms, a poisonous metallic element, historically infamous as a murder weapon.
How do you pronounce “arsenic”?
“Arsenic” is pronounced AH-suh-nihk (/ˈɑɹsənɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “arsenic” in a sentence?
Here is “arsenic” used in a sentence: “Traces of arsenic were found in the old well water.”
What part of speech is “arsenic”?
Depending on how it is used, “arsenic” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “arsenic” come from?
The word “arsenic” comes from Greek. 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.".
Is “arsenic” a common word?
“Arsenic” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “arsenic” have?
“Arsenic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a toxic grey chemical element, long associated with poisoning.
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