the fully hydrated blue crystalline form of copper sulphate
blue vitriol in American English
1.
chalcanthite
2.
copper sulfate
blue vitriol in American English
noun
Chemistry & Mineralogy
a salt, copper sulfate, CuSO4⋅5H2O, occurring naturally as large transparent, deep-blue triclinic crystals, appearing in its anhydrous state as a white powder: used chiefly as a mordant, insecticide, fungicide, and in engraving
Also called: blue copperas, chalcanthite, cupric sulfate
Word origin
[1760–70]This word is first recorded in the period 1760–70. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: genre, icing, provincialism, right of way, sounding board