a green or bluish patina formed on copper, brass, or bronze surfaces exposed to the atmosphere for long periods of time, consisting principally of basic copper sulfate.
1300, from O.Fr. verte grez (13c.), verte de Grece (c.1170), lit. "green of Greece," from obs. Fr. verd, from L. viridis (see verdure). The reason for it being called that is not known.
Main Entry: ver·di·gris Pronunciation: 'v&rd-&-"grEs, -"gris, -gr&s also -"grE Function: noun : a green or greenish bluepoisonous pigment resulting from the action of acetic acid on copper, consisting of one or more basic copper acetates, and formerly used in medicine
[vur-di-grees, -gris] 
