arsenious

9.9

Relating to chemical compounds where arsenic forms three bonds

adjective
/ˌɑːrsˈɛn.i.əs/

Specialized

: arsenioso

The chemist analyzed an arsenious oxide sample in the laboratory.

Examples

Many pesticides used to contain arsenious compounds before stricter safety regulations were introduced.
Exposure to arsenious substances can be hazardous without proper protective equipment.
Be careful with arsenious materials!
The arsenious compounds are dangerous!
Exposure to arsenious substances can be hazardous without proper protective equipment.
Many pesticides used to contain arsenious compounds before stricter safety regulations were introduced.
The chemist analyzed an arsenious oxide sample in the laboratory.

Surface Forms

arsenious positive

Morphology

arsenious = arsenic (transparent) = arsen + ious

Formed by adding the adjective-forming suffix '-ious' to the arsen- combining form derived from 'arsenic', so a learner who knows 'arsenic' can infer 'relating to arsenic'.

Etymology

Arsenious comes from arsenic, the poisonous element, and that name comes from Greek arsenikon meaning 'male' or 'strong'. The ending -ous marks a chemical form, so arsenious means the form of arsenic that joins with three other atoms, which is why it refers to the arsenic form with three bonds.