arsenic
arsenic Lexical Profile
arsenic Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A brittle, steel-gray metalloid chemical element with atomic number 33 and symbol As, occurring in several allotropic forms and widely used in alloys, semiconductors, and chemical compounds.
"Environmental scientists tested the groundwater for elevated levels of naturally occurring arsenic."
Arsenic trioxide or another highly poisonous compound of arsenic, historically used as a pesticide, herbicide, or lethal poison.
"In classic murder mysteries, the detective often discovers that the victim was poisoned with arsenic."
• adjective
Relating to, containing, or derived from arsenic, especially in its pentavalent oxidation state (+5).
"The chemist carefully measured out a small amount of arsenic acid for the laboratory reaction."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a noun, 'arsenic' is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable (AR-suh-nik); when used as a technical chemical adjective, the stress shifts to the second syllable (ar-SEN-ik).
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English arsenik, via Old French and Latin arsenicum from Ancient Greek arsenikon ('yellow orpiment'), borrowed via Syriac from Old Iranian zarnika ('golden-colored') and influenced by Greek arsenikos ('masculine, potent').