Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
lewisite

lewisite

1 9.9
A poisonous chemical used in war that causes severe skin blisters and breathing problems
  • noun
  • /ˈluːɪˌzaɪt/
  • NSFW
: lewisita
  • Researchers studied the long-term health impacts of lewisite on affected populations.

Examples

  • Is lewisite still used in modern warfare?

  • Soldiers wore protective gear to avoid exposure to lewisite during training exercises.

  • The effects of lewisite include severe skin blisters and respiratory problems.

  • The military stockpiled lewisite during World War I.

  • Exposure to lewisite can lead to painful blisters on the skin and severe lung damage.

  • In chemical warfare, lewisite is feared for its ability to incapacitate and inflict long-lasting harm.

  • The remnants of lewisite from past conflicts remain a threat to both the environment and public health.

Synonyms

blistering agent
vslewisite
  • NSFW
1 9.9

A harmful chemical that causes severe blisters on skin and damages eyes and lungs, often used as a weapon

is a specific poisonous compound used in chemical warfare to cause blisters

Surface Forms

lewisite singular
lewisites plural

Morphology

lewisite = Lewis (opaque) = lewis + ite

Although formed from the name 'Lewis' plus the chemical/mineral suffix '-ite', the status as a specific blister chemical is eponymous and not derivable by learners from the components.

Etymology

The word lewisite is named after the American chemist Winford Lee Lewis, who discovered this poisonous chemical. It causes 'blisters' and other injury, so the name is simply the discoverer's name for the blister agent.