An organic arsenic compound which induces vomiting and is irritating to the eyes and lungs, used in the form of an aerosol in chemical warfare, riot control, etc.; also called DM (diphenylaminechlorasine).
Origin
Early 20th century. From the name of Roger Adams, U.S. chemist, who apparently isolated the compound in 1918 + -ite.
Definition of adamsite in US English:
adamsite
nounˈadəmzʌɪt
An organic arsenic compound which induces vomiting and is irritating to the eyes and lungs, used in the form of an aerosol in chemical warfare, riot control, etc.; also called DM (diphenylaminechlorasine).
Origin
Early 20th century. From the name of Roger Adams, U.S. chemist, who apparently isolated the compound in 1918 + -ite.