arsenic meaning and definition

ARSENIC noun

Definition of arsenic (noun)

1. a white powdered poisonous trioxide of arsenic; used in manufacturing glass and as a pesticide (rat poison) and weed killer
   • synonyms: arsenic trioxide, arsenous anhydride, arsenous oxide, ratsbane, white arsenic
2. a very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms; arsenic and arsenic compounds are used as herbicides and insecticides and various alloys; found in arsenopyrite and orpiment and realgar
   • synonyms: As, atomic number 33