cacodyl

[ kak-uh-dil ]

adjective

1. containing the cacodyl group.

noun

1. an oily, slightly water-soluble, poisonous liquid compound composed of two cacodyl groups, (CH 3 ) 2 As−As(CH 3 ) 2 , that has a vile, garliclike odor and that undergoes spontaneous combustion in dry air.

cacodyl

/ ˈkækədaɪl; ˌkækəˈdɪlɪk /

noun

1. an oily poisonous liquid with a strong garlic smell; tetramethyldiarsine. Formula: [(CH 3 ) 2 As] 2

Derived Forms

• cacodylic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cacodyl¹

1840–50; < Greek kakṓd ( ēs ) ill-smelling ( kak ( o )- caco- + -ōd- smell + -ēs adj. suffix) + -yl

Word History and Origins

Origin of cacodyl¹

C19: from Greek kakōdēs evil-smelling (from kakos caco- + ozein to smell) + -yl

Example Sentences

A spontaneously inflammable liquid, having a repulsive odor, and consisting of cacodyl and its oxidation products; Ð called also Cadel's fuming liquid.

From Project Gutenberg

The knowledge of compound radicals received further increment at the hands of Robert W. Bunsen, the discoverer of the cacodyl compounds.

From Project Gutenberg

Simultaneously with his work on cacodyl, he was studying the composition of the gases given off from blast furnaces.

From Project Gutenberg

As he crossed the room some evil chance made him think of the gossip outside and of his allusion to the abstruse substance known as cacodyl.

From Project Gutenberg

It is cyanide of cacodyl, and I have carried that small flask of it about with me for months.

From Project Gutenberg