arsenious
|ar-sen-i-ous|
🇺🇸
/ɑrˈsɛn.i.əs/
🇬🇧
/ɑːˈsɛn.i.əs/
containing trivalent arsenic
Etymology
'arsenious' originates from New Latin 'arseniosus', itself formed from 'arsenic' + the adjectival suffix '-ous'. 'Arsenic' ultimately comes from Greek 'arsenikon'.
'arsenious' developed via New Latin 'arseniosus' (and Medieval Latin forms related to 'arsenicum'), passed into early modern scientific English as 'arsenious' to describe compounds of arsenic, and stabilized in modern English usage as 'arsenious'.
Initially it meant 'pertaining to arsenic' more generally; over time it came to be used more precisely in chemistry to mean 'containing or relating to arsenic in the +3 oxidation state'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
chemistry: of, containing, or relating to arsenic in the trivalent (＋3) oxidation state; specifically pertaining to arsenious acid (H3AsO3) or its salts.
Arsenious acid is a compound in which arsenic occurs in the +3 oxidation state.
Synonyms
Adjective 2
more general/older usage: pertaining to or characteristic of arsenic (not specifying oxidation state).
Historical texts sometimes describe pigments as arsenious when they contain compounds of arsenic.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/20 20:20