Blue vitriol

Description

Common name for hydrated copper sulfate prior to the 1800's. Blue vitriol was commonly used as an insecticide, germicides and a dye for textiles, hair and leather.

Synonyms and Related Terms

bluestone, copper sulfate; blue copperas; copper sulfite

Authority

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 235

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998