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sugar of lead: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C2 (Very rare; primarily historical/technical)
UK/ˈʃʊɡər əv ˈlɛd/US/ˈʃʊɡər əv ˈlɛd/

Technical (historical chemistry, toxicology), Literary (as a metaphor)

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Quick answer

What does “sugar of lead” mean?

A historical name for lead(II) acetate, a sweet-tasting but poisonous chemical compound.

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Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A historical name for lead(II) acetate, a sweet-tasting but poisonous chemical compound.

In historical alchemy and chemistry, a crystalline substance with a sweet taste, now known to be dangerously toxic. Sometimes used as a metaphor for something deceptively attractive but fundamentally harmful.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in usage; the term is equally obsolete and technical in both variants.

Connotations

Historical, alchemical, archaic, dangerously deceptive.

Frequency

Extremely rare in contemporary English. Appears only in historical texts, discussions of alchemy, or toxicology history.

Grammar

How to Use “sugar of lead” in a Sentence

[The substance] is sugar of lead.[The alchemist] prepared sugar of lead.[The sweetener] contained sugar of lead.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
poisonous sugar of leadcrystalline sugar of leadhistorical sugar of lead
medium
taste of sugar of leadproduction of sugar of lead
weak
known as sugar of leadcalled sugar of lead

Examples

Examples of “sugar of lead” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

  • The sugar-of-lead solution was carefully handled.
  • Its sugar-of-lead properties were noted.

American English

  • A sugar-of-lead compound was identified.
  • The sugar-of-lead toxicity was fatal.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Used in historical papers on chemistry, alchemy, or the history of toxicology.

Everyday

Virtually never used.

Technical

Used as a historical term in chemistry and toxicology texts to refer to Pb(CH₃COO)₂.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “sugar of lead”

Strong

Plumbi acetas (Latin pharmaceutical term)

Neutral

lead(II) acetatelead acetate

Weak

sweet leadGoulard's powder (related preparation)

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “sugar of lead”

safe sweetenernon-toxic compound

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “sugar of lead”

  • Confusing it with actual sugar or sweeteners.
  • Using it as a contemporary term instead of 'lead acetate'.
  • Misspelling as 'sugar of led'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No. It is lead(II) acetate, a crystalline chemical compound that happens to taste sweet. It is highly poisonous.

Due to its white, crystalline appearance resembling sugar and its sweet taste, combined with its source (lead).

No, it is an archaic historical term. The modern IUPAC name is lead(II) acetate or lead acetate.

It is a cumulative poison, causing lead poisoning which can result in abdominal pain, neurological damage, and death.

A historical name for lead(II) acetate, a sweet-tasting but poisonous chemical compound.

Sugar of lead is usually technical (historical chemistry, toxicology), literary (as a metaphor) in register.

Sugar of lead: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃʊɡər əv ˈlɛd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃʊɡər əv ˈlɛd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “[Metaphorical] A sugar of lead promise (a promise that is sweet but poisonous).”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'Sugar' for its sweet taste and crystalline form, 'Lead' for its deadly composition. It's a sweet-tasting poison.

Conceptual Metaphor

ATTRACTIVE APPEARANCE IS DANGER. Something that appears sweet/desirable (sugar) can conceal a fatal flaw (lead).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In historical contexts, the sweet-tasting poison now known as lead(II) acetate was commonly called .
Multiple Choice

What is 'sugar of lead' primarily known for?