ratsbane

[ rats-beyn ]

noun

1. rat poison.
2. the trioxide of arsenic.

ratsbane

/ ˈrætsˌbeɪn /

noun

1. rat poison, esp arsenic oxide

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratsbane¹

First recorded in 1515–25; rat + 's ¹ + bane

Example Sentences

There are the usual conjectures about what it can be, the usual suspicion that there is a Spanish spy among us who is slipping ratsbane into our food and drink.

From Literature

Oh! when I remember that, while I sit here in comfort, perhaps my poor boy lies dead in some savage place: and all along of that girl: there, her very name is ratsbane to me.

From Project Gutenberg

I counselled him either to give or take an ounce of ratsbane, to cure his mind.

From Project Gutenberg

"Poison!" echoed the farmer's daughters, recollecting with horror the ratsbane which Lion, the old house-dog, had got at the day before, and after eating which she had seen him drop down dead in convulsions.

From Project Gutenberg

They are hyphenated unless very common, in which case they are closed up; crane’s-bill, ratsbane.

From Project Gutenberg