Auripigment

/ˈɔːrɪpɪɡmənt/ noun

Definition

A bright yellow mineral form of arsenic sulfide, historically used as a pigment in painting and as a dye.

Etymology

From Latin 'aurum' (gold) + 'pigmentum' (pigment or paint), literally meaning 'gold pigment' because the mineral has a brilliant golden-yellow color that resembles gold.

Kelly Says

Auripigment is toxic because it contains arsenic, but Renaissance artists valued it so much for its bright yellow that they used it anyway—many old paintings contain auripigment, and some have actually become darker over centuries as the pigment slowly changes!

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