arsenic trisulfide: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (C2/Technical)Formal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “arsenic trisulfide” mean?
A bright yellow or orange-yellow chemical compound with the formula As₂S₃, also known as the mineral orpiment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bright yellow or orange-yellow chemical compound with the formula As₂S₃, also known as the mineral orpiment.
A historically significant pigment and toxic substance, used in pyrotechnics, infrared-transmitting glass, and traditional Chinese medicine (under strict controls).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily spelling: 'sulphide' (UK) vs. 'sulfide' (US). The word is 'arsenic trisulphide' in British English.
Connotations
Identical technical and hazardous connotations in both variants.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, exclusive to technical/specialist fields. The UK spelling with 'sulphide' is consistent with British chemical nomenclature.
Grammar
How to Use “arsenic trisulfide” in a Sentence
[Arsenic trisulfide] is used for [purpose].The sample contained traces of [arsenic trisulfide].[Arsenic trisulfide] forms in [geological conditions].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arsenic trisulfide” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The process will arsenical trisulphide the mixture. (Rare/constructed)
- They attempted to arsenic-trisulphide the glass. (Rare/constructed)
American English
- The process will arsenic trisulfide the mixture. (Rare/constructed)
- They attempted to arsenic-trisulfide the glass. (Rare/constructed)
adverb
British English
- The compound reacted arsenic-trisulphide-like. (Rare/constructed)
American English
- The compound reacted arsenic-trisulfide-like. (Rare/constructed)
adjective
British English
- The arsenic-trisulphide content was measured.
- An arsenic-trisulphide-based pigment.
American English
- The arsenic-trisulfide content was measured.
- An arsenic-trisulfide-based pigment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may appear in material safety data sheets (MSDS) or regulations concerning hazardous materials.
Academic
Common in chemistry, geology, art conservation, and history of science/art papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A layperson would say 'a toxic yellow arsenic compound'.
Technical
Standard term in chemistry, mineralogy, and materials science for the specific compound As₂S₃.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arsenic trisulfide”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “arsenic trisulfide”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arsenic trisulfide”
- Mispronouncing 'trisulfide' as 'tri-sul-fied'. Correct: 'try-SUL-fide'.
- Confusing it with 'realgar' (As₄S₄, red arsenic sulfide).
- Using it in a non-technical context where 'arsenic' alone would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Like all arsenic compounds, it is toxic if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. It requires careful handling.
Its common mineral name is 'orpiment'. In historical contexts, it was simply called 'yellow arsenic' or 'king's yellow' as a pigment.
Its use as a pigment is largely obsolete due to toxicity. It has niche technical applications, such as in certain types of infrared-transmitting glass and semiconductors.
Both are arsenic sulfides. Orpiment is arsenic trisulfide (As₂S₃) and is yellow. Realgar is arsenic disulfide/tetrasulfide (As₄S₄) and is red-orange.
A bright yellow or orange-yellow chemical compound with the formula As₂S₃, also known as the mineral orpiment.
Arsenic trisulfide is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Arsenic trisulfide: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɑː.sən.ɪk traɪˈsʌl.faɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɑːr.sən.ɪk traɪˈsʌl.faɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The term is purely technical.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ARSENIC' is the poison, 'TRI' means three, 'SULFIDE' is sulfur. It's the poison with three sulfurs: As₂S₃.
Conceptual Metaphor
POTENT YELLOW: Conceptualised as a powerful, dangerous, and vivid yellow agent (for colour or harm).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'arsenic trisulfide' MOST commonly used?