Definition

1. Noun:
   • A highly toxic chemical element: A brittle, grayish metalloid element with the symbol As and atomic number 33. It occurs naturally in minerals and is infamous for its poisonous properties.
   • A specific poisonous compound: Refers specifically to arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃), a white, tasteless, and odorless powder historically used as a potent poison.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Element):
  • The well water was tested and found to contain unsafe levels of arsenic.
  • Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in the Earth's crust.
• Noun (Compound):
  • In the classic detective story, the victim was murdered with arsenic.
  • Historically, arsenic was known as "inheritance powder."

Advanced Usage

• "Arsenic and old lace": A phrase popularized by a play and film title, often evoking a darkly comedic association with poison, particularly used by seemingly harmless elderly women.
  • The plot had a dark, "arsenic and old lace" quality to it.

Variants and Related Words

• Arsenical (adjective): Of, relating to, or containing arsenic.
  • The arsenical compounds were handled with extreme care in the lab.
• Arsenate (noun): A salt or ester of arsenic acid.
• Arsenite (noun): A salt or ester of arsenous acid.

Synonyms

• Poison: A substance that causes illness or death when ingested. (Note: "Arsenic" is a specific type of poison.)
• Toxin: A poisonous substance. (Note: More general; arsenic is a specific chemical toxin.)

Related Phrases

• "A taste of arsenic": Figuratively used to describe something extremely unpleasant, harmful, or betraying.
  • His lies left a taste of arsenic in their friendship.

Notes on Meaning

The word arsenic primarily denotes the chemical element. Its strong cultural association with murder and toxicity often colors its usage, even in non-scientific contexts. The reference to the white powdered trioxide is a specific, common form of the element used as a poison.

Noun

1. a very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms; arsenic and arsenic compounds are used as herbicides and insecticides and various alloys; found in arsenopyrite and orpiment and realgar
2. a white powdered poisonous trioxide of arsenic; used in manufacturing glass and as a pesticide (rat poison) and weed killer