Arsanilic

/ɑɹˌseɪˈnɪlɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or denoting a chemical compound derived from arsenic and aniline, used historically in medicine and dyes.

Etymology

From 'arsenic' (from Persian 'zarnik') combined with 'aniline' (from 'anil,' the indigo plant), plus the suffix '-ic' (from Greek, meaning 'of or relating to').

Kelly Says

Arsanilic compounds were among the first synthetic antibiotics—Paul Ehrlich's early work with arsenic-based drugs literally created the field of chemotherapy before penicillin was discovered.

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