ratsbane etymology

Etymology:

• From Middle English ratsbane, translating Old French rassebon, from rasse ("rat") + bon ("good").
• The word "ban" here means "bane," meaning "poison" or "destruction."

Meaning:

• A poisonous substance used to kill rats.

Origin:

• The term "ratsbane" first emerged in the 15th century in England and France, coincidentally with the arrival of the black rat (Rattus rattus) from Asia.
• It was initially used to describe a specific poison made from arsenic compounds, which was commonly employed for rat control.
• Over time, the term became a generic name for any poisonous substance used to kill rats.

ratsbane relate terms

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• flea

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• bane

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• white

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• cardigan

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• heresy

  Etymology The word heresy is derived from the Old French hérésie which in turn co

• array

  Etymology The word array is derived from the Old French word arrai which means to

• loyalty

  Etymology Old French leauté Latin legalitas legality faithfulness Latin lex

• coherence

  Etymology Late Latin cohaerentia from Latin cohaerēre cohaes stick together fr

• cataract

  Etymology Cataract is derived from the Late Latin word cataracta meaning waterfall

• crucible

  Etymology Old French creuset Late Latin crucibulum a diminutive of crux cross Latin