lead arsenate

[ led ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, water-insoluble, highly poisonous powder, PbHAsO 4 , used as an insecticide.

lead arsenate

/ lɛd /

noun

1. a white insoluble toxic crystalline powder used as an insecticide and fungicide. Formula: Pb 3 (AsO 4 ) 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of lead arsenate¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

It was sprayed onto fruit as a pesticide in the form of lead arsenate.

From Literature

In the 19th century, a concoction named Paris green was the insecticide of choice before being replaced by lead arsenate — an unholy marriage of arsenic and lead first used in 1892.

From Washington Post

Another insect to learn the profitable way of resistance was the codling moth, or appleworm, in the 1920’s, although lead arsenate had been used successfully against it for some 40 years.

From Literature

Actually I have two versions of this; the older still lists insecticides banned years ago, including DDT, calcium cyanide and lead arsenate.

From Washington Post

In 1988, he warned against eating Florida grapefruits because they had been sprayed with lead arsenate to speed ripening.

From New York Times