雄黄

Etymology 1


→ →

From compound, indicating the mineral realgar, in contrast to , indicating the mineral orpiment.

Due to similarities between the two minerals, when the term was borrowed into Japanese, the meaning changed from to.

Noun

 * 1) orpiment, an arsenic sulfide mineral

Usage notes
This is the most common reading for this kanji compound.

Etymology 2
→ →

Compound of.

Noun

 * 1)  orpiment, an arsenic sulfide mineral

Etymology 3


From. Compound of. The kanji are ateji, borrowed from the Chinese term.

Cognate and homophone of. Only differentiated by spelling.

Noun

 * 1)  realgar, an arsenic sulfide mineral

Related terms

 * : orpiment, an arsenic sulfide mineral