OpphavShortening of arsenikk, arsenic trioxide, from Ancient Greek αρσενικόν (arsenikos), "arsenic, orpiment", though it literally translates to "manly, strong", due to it being a folk etymology of Middle Persian زرنيخ (zarnikh), "gold-colored". The word orpiment is the proper word in English for arsenic trioxide, though arsenic is still used in this sense. In Norwegian, arsenikk only refers to the mineral.
- neuter, singular, singular-onlyarsenic (element)
Formerarsenet(definite, singular)