bichloride of mercury
- noun
- /baɪˈklɔːraɪd əv ˈmɜːrkjʊri/
- Archaic
:
bicloro de mercurio
- Accidental ingestion of bichloride of mercury can be fatal and requires immediate medical attention.
Examples
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In the past, bichloride of mercury was commonly used to preserve wood and prevent decay.
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Do you know the effects of bichloride of mercury?
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The old laboratory stored bottles of bichloride of mercury for disinfection.
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The laboratory used bichloride of mercury in their experiments.
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The doctor sterilized the surgical tools using bichloride of mercury to prevent infections.
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In the laboratory, the chemist carefully handled bichloride of mercury because it is a toxic substance.
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Historically, bichloride of mercury was commonly used as an antiseptic in medical practices.
Synonyms
A white poisonous chemical used to kill pests and preserve wood
A poisonous white chemical once used to kill pests and preserve wood
A white poisonous chemical once used to kill germs and protect wood
Surface Forms
Morphology
bichloride + of + mercury
The phrase literally names a chemical: 'bichloride' (bi- two + chloride) of 'mercury', so a learner who understands the constituent parts can infer it is the mercury compound containing two chlorine atoms. This follows standard, compositional chemical naming (X of Y) and is therefore directly derivable from the parts.
Etymology
Bichloride of mercury comes from old chemical naming: bi- means 'two' and chloride means 'a part that has chlorine', so the name paints a picture of mercury with two chlorine parts. Because this white compound was used to kill germs and protect wood, the name now refers to a very poisonous preservative.
