Definition of arsenic Arsenic

/ɑˈɹsʌnɪk/ - [arsunik] - ar•se•nic

We found 12 definitions of arsenic from 7 different sources.

What does arsenic mean?

Noun Plural: arsenics
arsenic - 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
		As, atomic number 33
		chemical element, element the most favorable environment for a plant or animal; "water is the element of fishes"
		herbicide, weed killer, weedkiller a chemical agent that destroys plants or inhibits their growth
		insect powder, insecticide a chemical used to kill insects
		arsenopyrite, mispickel a silver-white or grey ore of arsenic
		orpiment a yellow mineral occurring in conjunction with realgar; an ore of arsenic
		realgar a rare soft orange mineral consisting of arsenic sulphide; an important ore of arsenic
arsenic - a white powdered poisonous trioxide of arsenic; used in manufacturing glass and as a pesticide (rat poison) and weed killer
		arsenic trioxide, arsenous anhydride, arsenous oxide, white arsenic, ratsbane
		trioxide an oxide containing three atoms of oxygen in the molecule

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arsenic (Noun)
A nonmetallic chemical element symbol As with an atomic number of 33.
arsenic (Noun)
arsenic Arsenic trioxide .
arsenic (Adjective)
Of, or containing arsenic with a valence of 5.

arsenic (n.)
One of the elements, a solid substance resembling a metal in its physical properties, but in its chemical relations ranking with the nonmetals. It is of a steel-gray color and brilliant luster, though usually dull from tarnish. It is very brittle, and sublimes at 356¡ Fahrenheit. It is sometimes found native, but usually combined with silver, cobalt, nickel, iron, antimony, or sulphur. Orpiment and realgar are two of its sulphur compounds, the first of which is the true arsenicum of the ancients. The element and its compounds are active poisons. Specific gravity from 5.7 to 5.9. Atomic weight 75. Symbol As.
arsenic (n.)
Arsenious oxide or arsenious anhydride; -- called also arsenious acid, white arsenic, and ratsbane.
arsenic (a.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, arsenic; -- said of those compounds of arsenic in which this element has its highest equivalence; as, arsenic acid.

arsenic
A toxic metalloid element with symbol As and atomic number 33, existing in several allotropic forms, that occurs principally in realgar and orpiment and as the free element. It is used in semiconductors, lead-based alloys, and high temperature brasses.

arsenic
ar′sen-ik, n. one of the chemical elements: a mineral poison: a soft, gray-coloured metal.—ns. Ar′senate, Arsē′niate, a salt of arsenic acid.—adjs. Arsen′ic, -al, composed of or containing arsenic: in chemistry, applied to compounds; Arsē′nious, of or containing arsenic.—n. Ar′senite, a salt of arsenious acid. [Gr. arsenikon, arsen, male; the alchemists fancied some metals male, others female.]

Arsenic is chemical element 33 on the periodic table. Its symbol is As.

Arsenic is an element that is known as a metalloid. It can act like a metal and a nonmetal at different times. It does not conduct electricity very well (like most metals), but it is a semiconductor. This means that arsenic can be used in computers to make them faster.

Most people know about arsenic because it is dangerous. Arsenic is toxic and can kill a person if they get too much of it. This really only happens when a person gets poisoned because there is not enough of it in our food to actually hurt us. Sometimes there is too much arsenic in water, and the government tries to make sure that it is removed before people drink the water. Even so, some people believe that we need an extremely small amount of arsenic to make sure that our body works right. We get all of the arsenic that we might need from our food.