Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to or containing arsenic: Describes something that has a connection to the chemical element arsenic or incorporates it as a constituent.
   • Of or pertaining to arsenic: Characterized by the presence or properties of arsenic.

2. Noun:

   • A pesticide or drug containing arsenic: A substance, typically used in agriculture or medicine, whose active ingredient includes a compound of arsenic.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The well water was tested for arsenical contamination. (The water was checked for pollution related to arsenic.)
  • The arsenical compound was handled with extreme caution in the laboratory. (The compound containing arsenic was treated very carefully.)

• Noun:

  • This old arsenical is no longer used in modern farming due to its toxicity. (This old pesticide containing arsenic is not used anymore.)
  • Historical medical treatments sometimes included arsenicals for certain conditions. (Drugs with arsenic were part of some past medical practices.)

Advanced Usage

• "Arsenical poisoning": Poisoning caused by exposure to arsenic or arsenical compounds.
  • The symptoms were consistent with chronic arsenical poisoning.
• Used in scientific contexts (chemistry, toxicology, environmental science) to specify the type of compound or agent.
  • The study focused on the environmental fate of various arsenical species.

Variants and Related Words

• Arsenic (n): The chemical element (As) itself.
• Arsenate (n): A salt or ester of arsenic acid.
• Arsenite (n): A salt or ester of arsenous acid.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Arsenic-containing, arsenic-related.
• Noun: Arsenic-based agent, arsenic compound (when referring to its use as a pesticide/drug).

Related Phrases

• Arsenical copper: An alloy of copper containing a small amount of arsenic.
• Arsenical bronze: A historical alloy of copper and arsenic, used before tin bronze.

Adjective

1. relating to or containing arsenic
   • arsenic vapor

Noun

1. a pesticide or drug containing arsenic