What does arsenical mean?
"Arsenical" is a technical adjective meaning containing or relating to arsenic, the notoriously poisonous metalloid element. It is most often encountered in scientific and medical contexts — chemists speak of arsenical compounds, environmental reports of arsenical contamination, and historians of medicine of arsenical drugs such as Salvarsan, the early twentieth-century syphilis treatment. The word derives from "arsenic," which itself traces back through Latin arsenicum to Greek arsenikon. Because arsenic is synonymous in the popular mind with poisoning, "arsenical" carries an unmistakably sinister connotation: describing wallpaper, pigments, or pesticides as arsenical immediately signals danger. Indeed, Victorian-era green dyes were so heavily arsenical that they poisoned homes and workplaces. Though uncommon in casual speech, the word is precise and valuable wherever accuracy about chemical composition matters.
Containing or relating to arsenic; of the nature of an arsenic compound.
"Analysis revealed an arsenical pigment in the antique wallpaper."
Primarily used in chemistry, toxicology, and historical contexts.
A medicinal preparation containing an arsenic compound, especially one formerly used to treat parasitic diseases or syphilis.
"Before penicillin, doctors relied on arsenicals to combat syphilis."
Chiefly historical or pharmacological; usually plural when referring to this class of drugs generally.
As a noun, "arsenical" is most often used in the plural to refer collectively to arsenic-based medicines.
"Organic arsenicals were once standard therapy for African sleeping sickness."
Victorian wallpaper dyed with Scheele's green was so arsenical that rooms could literally poison their occupants as damp walls released toxic dust.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of arsenical
"Arsenical" is formed from "arsenic" plus the adjectival suffix "-al." "Arsenic" entered English via Latin arsenicum and Old French from Greek arsenikon, a term for the yellow pigment orpiment; the Greek word may be related to arsen, meaning "male" or "potent," though this is debated. The adjective has been used in English since at least the seventeenth century and became prominent in nineteenth-century chemistry and forensic toxicology.
Related word forms
How arsenical is actually used
"Arsenical" is a technical term found mainly in chemistry, toxicology, medicine, and historical writing; it is rare in everyday conversation and carries strongly negative connotations because of arsenic's toxicity.
Easily confused with arsenical
"Arsenic" names the element or its poisonous compounds themselves, while "arsenical" is the adjective describing things that contain or relate to arsenic.