ratsbane

Noun

Synonyms: arsenic arsenic trioxide arsenous anhydride arsenous oxide white arsenic

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

a white powdered poisonous trioxide of arsenic; used in manufacturing glass and as a pesticide (rat poison) and weed killerSynonyms: arsenic arsenic trioxide arsenous anhydride arsenous oxide white arsenic

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Ratsbane \Rats"bane`\ (r[a^]ts"b[=a]n`), n. [Rat + bane.] Rat poison; white arsenic. [1913 Webster]

Arsenic \Ar"se*nic\ ([aum]r"s[-e]*n[i^]k; 277), n. [L. arsenicum, Gr. 'arseniko`n, 'arreniko`n, yellow orpiment, perh. fr. 'arseniko`s or better Attic 'arreniko`s masculine, 'a`rrhn male, on account of its strength, or fr. Per. zern[imac]kh: cf. F. arsenic.]

1.(Chem.) One of the elements, a solid substance resembling a metal in its physical properties, but in its chemical relations ranking with the nonmetals. It is of a steel-gray color and brilliant luster, though usually dull from tarnish. It is very brittle, and sublimes at 356[deg] Fahrenheit. It is sometimes found native, but usually combined with silver, cobalt, nickel, iron, antimony, or sulphur. Orpiment and realgar are two of its sulphur compounds, the first of which is the true arsenicum of the ancients. The element and its compounds are active poisons. Specific gravity from 5.7 to 5.9. Atomic weight

75.Symbol As. [1913 Webster]

2.(Com.) Arsenious oxide or arsenious anhydride; -- called also arsenious acid, white arsenic, and ratsbane. [1913 Webster]