ἀρσενικόν

Ancient Greek edit

Pronunciation edit

 

Etymology 1 edit

Of Semitic origin (compare Classical Syriac ܙܪܢܝܟܐ (zarnīḵā, orpiment)) under the strong influence of ἀρσενικός (arsenikós, male, virile), from Middle Persian *zarnīk, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰelh₃- (yellow). See arsenic for more cognates.

Alternative forms edit

Noun edit

ἀρσενῐκόν (arsenikónf (genitive ἀρσενῐκοῦ); first declension

  1. (mineralogy) orpiment, yellow sulfide of arsenic
  2. arsenic (chemical element 33) (later meaning, not attested up to the 5th c. CE)
Usage notes edit

Only the meaning "orpiment, arsenic sulfide" is attested in classical sources; the later shift to "arsenic metal" is found in the period of late Koine Greek to early Byzantine Greek, when σανδαράχη (sandaráchi, realgar (initially)) begins referring to both realgar and orpiment (red and yellow arsenic sulfides).

Inflection edit
Descendants edit
  • Greek: αρσενικό (arsenikó)
  • Latin: arrenicum
  • Latin: arsenicum (see there for further descendants)

Further reading edit

Etymology 2 edit

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Adjective edit

ἀρσενῐκόν (arsenikón)

  1. inflection of ἀρσενικός (arsenikós):
    1. masculine accusative singular
    2. neuter nominative/accusative/vocative singular