What does arsenide mean?
An arsenide is a binary chemical compound in which arsenic combines with a more electropositive element, usually a metal, with arsenic present as the triply charged negative ion As³⁻. The term belongs chiefly to the vocabulary of chemistry, mineralogy, and electronics, where individual compounds are named by pairing the metal's name with 'arsenide' — gallium arsenide, indium arsenide, and aluminium arsenide being prominent examples. Arsenides matter far beyond the laboratory: gallium arsenide is a cornerstone semiconductor material, prized for high-speed transistors, laser diodes, solar cells, and the infrared emitters found in remote controls and optical communications. Like many arsenic compounds, arsenides can be toxic, so they are handled with care in industrial settings. The word derives from 'arsenic', itself traced through Latin arsenicum to Greek arsenikon, a term applied to the orange-yellow mineral orpiment. For readers interested in how modern technology depends on specialized compounds, 'arsenide' is a small word with outsized significance.
nounA binary chemical compound of arsenic with another element, typically a metal, in which the arsenic occurs as the negatively charged ion As³⁻.
- A binary compound of arsenic with a more electropositive element, especially a metal, containing the arsenide ion As³⁻.
- Such a compound regarded specifically as a class of technologically important semiconductor materials, such as gallium arsenide.
"Gallium arsenide is widely used to manufacture high-speed semiconductors and laser diodes."
"The microchips were fabricated from gallium arsenide rather than silicon to achieve faster switching speeds."
"Sodium arsenide is a highly reactive salt that must be handled under inert atmosphere."
The plural is used when referring to multiple distinct arsenide compounds or minerals collectively.
"Metallic arsenides occur naturally as minerals in certain ore deposits."
The screens and lasers in your phone likely depend on gallium arsenide — a compound whose name descends from a Greek word that may have meant 'masculine' or 'potent'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of arsenide
The word 'arsenide' was formed in the nineteenth century by adding the '-ide' suffix, standard for naming binary compounds, to 'arsenic'. 'Arsenic' itself entered English via French and Latin arsenicum, borrowed from Greek arsenikon, which denoted the yellow pigment orpiment; the Greek term may ultimately derive, through Syriac and Persian mediation, from a word for gold-colored minerals. Related English forms sharing this root include 'arsenic', 'arsenical', 'arsenious', and 'arsenate'.
How arsenide is actually used
A technical term used almost exclusively in chemistry, materials science, and electronics; it is rare in everyday speech. In mineralogy and industry, specific compounds are nearly always named by pairing the metal with 'arsenide' (e.g., gallium arsenide) rather than using the bare word.
Easily confused with arsenide
Arsenic is the chemical element itself, while an arsenide is a compound in which arsenic is chemically bonded to another element.
An arsenate contains arsenic bonded to oxygen (AsO₄³⁻), whereas an arsenide contains arsenic bonded directly to a metal without oxygen.