realgar

noun

re·al·gar rē-ˈal-ˌgär

-gər

: an orange-red mineral consisting of arsenic sulfide and having a resinous luster

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Catalan, from Arabic rahj al-ghār powder of the mine

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of realgar was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Realgar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realgar. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

spontaneous

Listen to the pronunciation of spontaneous

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)