'Red vitriol' definitions:

Definition of 'Red vitriol'

From: GCIDE
  • Vitriol \Vit"ri*ol\, n. [F. vitriol; cf. Pr. vitriol, vetriol, Sp. & Pg. vitriolo, It. vitriuolo; fr. L. vitreolus of glass, vitreus vitreous. See Vitreous.] (Chem.) (a) A sulphate of any one of certain metals, as copper, iron, zinc, cobalt. So called on account of the glassy appearance or luster. (b) Sulphuric acid; -- called also oil of vitriol. So called because first made by the distillation of green vitriol. See Sulphuric acid, under Sulphuric. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]
  • Blue vitriol. See under Blue.
  • Green vitriol, ferrous sulphate; copperas. See under Green.
  • Oil of vitriol, sulphuric or vitriolic acid; -- popularly so called because it has the consistency of oil.
  • Red vitriol, a native sulphate of cobalt.
  • Vitriol of Mars, ferric sulphate, a white crystalline substance which dissolves in water, forming a red solution.
  • White vitriol, zinc sulphate, a white crystalline substance used in medicine and in dyeing. It is usually obtained by dissolving zinc in sulphuric acid, or by roasting and oxidizing certain zinc ores. Formerly called also {vitriol of zinc}. [1913 Webster]