verdigris

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a blue or green powder used as a paint pigment
  2. noun a green patina that forms on copper or brass or bronze that has been exposed to the air or water for long periods of time
  3. verb color verdigris

Etymology

From Middle English vertegrece, verdegres, from Old French verte grez (literally “acidic green”), an alteration of older verte de Grece (literally “green of Greece”). The modern French writing of this word is vert-de-gris (literally “green of gray”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

cupric acetate

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