orpiment
/'ɔ:pimənt/
Definition
- Noun:
- A yellow mineral: A naturally occurring, bright yellow mineral composed primarily of arsenic trisulfide (As₂S₃). It is often found in association with the red mineral realgar and is a significant ore of arsenic.
- A pigment: Historically, the powdered mineral was used as a brilliant yellow pigment in painting and decoration, though it is highly toxic.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The geologist identified the vibrant yellow vein in the rock as orpiment.
- Medieval artists sometimes used orpiment to create luminous yellows, unaware of its dangerous arsenic content.
Advanced Usage
- In mineralogy: The term is used specifically for the monoclinic crystalline form of arsenic trisulfide. It is noted for its perfect cleavage and resinous to pearly luster.
- Under UV light, some samples of orpiment may exhibit fluorescence.
Variants and Related Words
- Realgar (n): A red arsenic sulfide mineral (As₄S₄ or AsS) frequently found in the same geological environments as orpiment.
- Arsenic (n): A brittle, grayish-white metalloid element (As), for which orpiment is an ore.
- Auripigmentum (n): The Latin origin of the word "orpiment," meaning "golden pigment."
Synonyms
- Arsenic trisulfide: The chemical name for the compound.
- King's yellow: A historical name for the pigment made from orpiment.
Related Phrases
- Associated with realgar: A common phrase in geology describing the frequent co-occurrence of these two arsenic sulfide minerals.
- The deposit contained orpiment associated with realgar in a classic hydrothermal vein.
Related Idioms
(No common idioms are directly based on this specific mineralogical term.)
Noun
-
a yellow mineral occurring in conjunction with realgar; an ore of arsenic
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