corrosive sublimate
Definition
Noun: A highly toxic, white, crystalline, water-soluble compound of mercury, specifically mercuric chloride (HgCl₂). It is historically and industrially used as a pesticide, antiseptic, disinfectant, and wood preservative.
Usage
- As a specific chemical compound: The term refers exclusively to mercuric chloride.
- The old medical kit contained a small vial of corrosive sublimate.
- Corrosive sublimate was once a common but dangerous disinfectant for surgical instruments.
Advanced Usage
- Historical and Technical Context: The term is primarily used in historical, technical, or industrial contexts, as its use has declined due to extreme toxicity.
- The preservation recipe for the botanical specimen called for a solution of corrosive sublimate.
- In the 19th century, corrosive sublimate was employed in taxidermy.
Variants and Related Words
- Mercuric chloride: The modern, more precise chemical name for the same compound (HgCl₂).
- Bichloride of mercury: An older synonymous term.
- Sublimate (noun): In chemistry, a solid substance deposited from a vapor. "Corrosive sublimate" is a specific type of sublimate.
Synonyms
- Mercuric chloride (Primary synonym)
- Bichloride of mercury
Notes on Meaning
- Caution: The word "corrosive" in the name refers to its damaging effect on tissues, not just metals. It is a potent poison.
- Distinction: It is different from "calomel" (mercurous chloride, Hg₂Cl₂), which is another mercury compound with different properties.
Noun
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a white poisonous soluble crystalline sublimate of mercury; used as a pesticide or antiseptic or wood preservative
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