arsenic trioxide
- noun
- /ˈɑːrsənɪk traɪˈɒksaɪd/
- Specialized
:
trióxido de arsénico
- The toxic properties of arsenic trioxide make it a dangerous but effective pesticide.
Examples
-
Arsenic trioxide is sometimes used in the production of specialty glass.
-
After the discovery of arsenic trioxide contamination, the plant was temporarily shut down.
-
The chemical arsenic trioxide is highly toxic.
-
Farmers should avoid using arsenic trioxide in their pesticides.
-
Arsenic trioxide is commonly used in the glassmaking industry due to its unique properties.
-
Due to its toxicity, arsenic trioxide must be handled with extreme caution in laboratories.
-
The use of arsenic trioxide in pesticides has declined because of its harmful effects on health.
Synonyms
6
6.6
A white poisonous powder used as rat poison and to make glass
1
9.3
A poisonous white powder used to kill pests and make glass
A white poisonous powder used in glass making and in products that kill pests
A poisonous white powder that people use to make glass and to kill pests or weeds
A poisonous substance for killing rats, often made from arsenic trioxide
Surface Forms
Morphology
The term is a literal chemical compound name formed by combining 'arsenic' and 'trioxide', so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes the oxide of arsenic (arsenic with three oxygen atoms). Although the specific medical/therapeutic use is specialized knowledge, the basic referent is compositionally transparent from its constituents.
Etymology
Arsenic trioxide is named from its parts arsenic and trioxide, where 'trioxide' means 'three oxygen atoms'; picture an arsenic atom with three oxygen 'arms' holding together a white powder once used as a rat 'poison' and in glassmaking. That's why arsenic trioxide refers to a poisonous white powder used in industry.