Chem. Also kakodyl(e. [f. Gr. κακώδ-ης stinking, κακωδία stink (f. κακό-ς + ὀδ-, root of ὄζειν to emit smell) + -YL, matter.]
An organic compound of arsenic and methyl, As(CH3)2 = Kd, also called Arsendimethyl, a colorless liquid, of most disgusting garlic odor and with extremely poisonous vapor, which takes fire on exposure to the air.
1850. C. Daubeny, Atomic The., vii. (ed. 2), 219. The body then which Bunsen regards as the radical, and which from its offensive odour he denominates kakodyle.
1867. Cornh. Mag., March, 383. The well-known garlic-like odour characteristic of cacodyl.
1869. Roscoe, Elem. Chem., 341. Cacodyl is a colourless liquid, boiling at 170°.
1872. Watts, Dict. Chem., I. 405. Cacodyl takes fire in the air, at ordinary temperatures, even more readily than crude alkarsin.
