blue vitriol

blue vitriol

noun Chemistry, Mineralogy.
a salt, copper sulfate, CuSO4⋅5H2O, occurring naturally as large transparent, deep-blue triclinic crystals, appearing in its anhydrous state as a white powder: used chiefly as a mordant, insecticide, fungicide, and in engraving.
Also called blue copperas, chalcanthite, cupric sulfate.


Origin:
1760–70
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Blue vitriol is always a great word to know.
So is labile. Does it mean:
like or containing an alkali, which neutralize acids to form salts and turn red litmus paper blue, or having a pH value greater than 7
a compound capable of changing state or becoming inactive when subjected to heat or radiation
Collins
World English Dictionary
blue vitriol
 
n
the fully hydrated blue crystalline form of copper sulphate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
blue vitriol  
A blue, crystalline compound of copper sulfate. Blue vitriol is soluble in water, and is a very important industrial salt of copper. It is used in insecticides and germicides, in electrolytes for batteries, and in electroplating baths. Chemical formula: CuSO4·5H2O.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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