potassium cyanide

noun

: a very poisonous crystalline salt KCN used especially in gold and silver extraction from ore

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

But the tainted pills had only potassium cyanide. —Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2022

While his wife was hospitalized again from March 9 to March 14, James Craig ordered the highly lethal chemical compound potassium cyanide, which was delivered to his dental practice on March 13, according to the affidavit. —Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2023

Craig ultimately ordered arsenic, which was delivered to the family's home; potassium cyanide to his office; and a toxic plant extract called oleandrin, according to authorities. —Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2023

According to the arrest affidavit, Craig is suspected of slipping potassium cyanide and arsenic into Angela's pre-workout shake beginning the morning of March 6. —Tristan Balagtas, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2023

While Angela Craig was hospitalized for the final time on Wednesday, one of her husband’s business partners told a nurse about James Craig’s delivery of potassium cyanide at their medical practice, noting there was no need to have the chemical in the office, the affidavit says. —Raja Razek, CNN, 21 Mar. 2023

Just as District Court Judge M.M. Joyce denied his motion for a new trial and lectured him about his wrongdoing and its effect on his family, Peifer pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket, covered his mouth and swallowed a capsule of potassium cyanide. —Curt Brown, Star Tribune, 3 Apr. 2021

The 45-year-old dentist is accused of killing Angela, his wife and the mother of his six children, by fatally dosing her with potassium cyanide between March 6 and March 15. —Tristan Balagtas, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2023

After interviews with employees of the dental practice where James Craig worked, police learned that a package containing potassium cyanide arrived there on March 13, the affidavit says. —Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

potassium cyanide

noun

: a very poisonous salt used especially to obtain gold and silver from ore

Medical Definition

potassium cyanide

noun

: a very poisonous crystalline salt KCN