From Middle English arsenik, borrowed from Middle French arsenic, from Latin arsenicum, from Ancient Greek ἀρσενικόν (influenced by ἀρσενικός), from Semitic (compare Classical Syriac ܙܪܢܝܟܐ, Aramaic 𐡆𐡓𐡍𐡉𐡊𐡀), from *zarnīk (compare Persian زرنی), from *zarniya-ka- (compare Avestan 𐬰𐬀𐬭𐬀𐬥𐬌𐬌𐬀, Old Persian 𐎭𐎼𐎴𐎡𐎹, Sanskrit हिरण्य, Persian زر), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰelh₃-. More at yellow.
Modern English dictionary
Explore and search massive catalog of over 900,000 word meanings.
Word of the Day
Get a curated memorable word every day.
Challenge yourself
Level up your vocabulary by setting personal goals.