copperas
Any of various metallic sulphates formed from the reaction of sulfur with iron, zinc,…Any of various metallic sulphates formed from the reaction of sulfur with iron, zinc, or copper, especially (alchemy) solutions of such compounds misunderstood as a mediator or catalyst for the transmutation of iron into copper &c.
Meaning
2 senses(historical, uncountable, usually)Any of various metallic sulphates formed from the reaction of sulfur with iron, zinc, or copper, especially (alchemy) solutions of such compounds misunderstood as a mediator or catalyst for the transmutation of iron into copper &c.
Vitriol
(archaic, uncountable, usually)Synonym of iron(II) sulfate.
Translations
5 languagesBy meaning 1
Origin
From Middle English coperas, coperose (“any metallic sulfate”), from Medieval Latin cuprosFrom Middle English coperas, coperose (“any metallic sulfate”), from Medieval Latin cuprosa directly or via Old French coperose, from Medieval Latin aqua cuprosa (“cupreous water”), from Latin cuprum (“copper”) + -osa (“-ose: forming related adjectives”). Fanciful derivations from cupreous terms involving Latin rosa (“rose”) are mistaken.
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Forms
plural: copperasesSynonyms
1 synonymsWord family
2 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable