realgar

American  

[ree-al-ger, -gahr] / riˈæl gər, -gɑr /

noun

1. arsenic disulfide, As 2 S 2 , found in nature as an orange-red mineral and also produced artificially: used in pyrotechnics.

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realgar British  

/ rɪˈælɡə /

noun

1. a rare orange-red soft mineral consisting of arsenic sulphide in monoclinic crystalline form. It occurs in Utah and Romania and as a deposit from hot springs. It is an important ore of arsenic and is also used as a pigment. Formula: AsS

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Etymology

Origin of realgar

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin realger ≪ Arabic rahj al-ghār powder of the mine or cave

Example Sentences

I stuck my head inside a cabinet to get a close look at the rocks of the arsenic sulfides realgar and orpiment, blazes of flame orange locked within the crystals.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 27, 2018

Many substances were employed in ancient medicine: galena was the basis of a valuable Egyptian cosmetic and drug; the arsenic sulphides, realgar and orpiment, litharge, alum, saltpetre, iron rust were also used.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various

Combined with sulphur it forms orpiment and realgar, which are the yellow and red sulphides of arsenic.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 Amiel to Atrauli by Various

Take of nitrate of baryta, twenty-seven parts, by weight; of sulphur, thirteen; of chloride of potassa, five; of realgar, two; and of charcoal three parts.

From Home Pastimes; or Tableaux Vivants by Head, James H.

Note: Realgar: The Chinese believe that realgar is a mithridate and tonic.

From The Chinese Fairy Book by Wilhelm, Richard