arsenite

1 9.9

A chemical salt that contains arsenic with a charge of plus three

noun
/ˈɑːrsənaɪt/

Specialized

: arsenito

Examples

So so but also we propose something for strange gallon arsenite, but it looks like also not so realistic.
- Toxides: arsenic acid, sodium arsenite, boron compounds, cyanides cyo-cyenates and related compounds

A New Leaf (1971)
In the experiment, researchers used sodium arsenite to study its effects on cell growth.
The environmental report indicated that arsenite levels in the water supply exceeded safe limits.
Due to its toxicity, exposure to arsenite should be minimized in laboratory settings.

Synonyms

arsenic trioxide

vsarsenite

Specialized

1 8.1

A white poisonous powder used to make glass and kill pests

is a broader term for any compound or salt with arsenic in +3 state

arsenous oxide

vsarsenite

Specialized

9.8

A poisonous white powder that people use to make glass and to kill pests or weeds

is a general class for compounds and salts with arsenic in +3 state

arsenous anhydride

vsarsenite

Specialized

9.9

A white poisonous powder used in glass making and in products that kill pests

is a term for any +3 arsenic compound or salt, not just that powder

Surface Forms

arsenite singular

arsenites plural

Morphology

arsenite = arsenic + arsenous (semi-transparent) = arsen + ite

Formally derived from 'arsenic' with the chemical suffix '-ite' indicating a lower-oxidation-state anion or salt; the relation to 'arsenic' is clear but the precise technical meaning requires specialist chemical knowledge.

Etymology

Arsenite comes from arsenic plus the ending -ite, which is used for 'salts' or 'minerals'. So arsenite means a 'salt' or compound of arsenic, the form of arsenic often found in water and sometimes dangerous.