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arsenic

arsenic

noun ar-suh-NEEK Rare

Origin: Greek arsenikon (yellow orpiment)

Usage Note

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid element (symbol As) historically used as a poison and in medicine. In French it is masculine: l'arsenic. The adjective arsenical or arsénieux appears in chemistry contexts. It features prominently in crime fiction as the classic undetectable poison.

Examples

"L'arsenic était utilisé comme poison au Moyen Âge."

Natural Translation

Arsenic was used as a poison in the Middle Ages.

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