Ratsbane

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

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

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:



  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]