chloropicrin

noun

chlo·​ro·​pic·​rin ˌklȯr-ə-ˈpi-krən How to pronounce chloropicrin (audio)
: a colorless liquid CCl3NO2 that causes tears and vomiting and is used especially as a soil fumigant

Examples of chloropicrin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection website says the plant had several owners from 1967 through 2000 and produced chlorine, sodium hydroxide, chlorine bleach, hydrochloric acid and the pesticide chloropicrin. Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2017 Historically, chloropicrin has been found most effective when used in combination with methyl bromide, which has been found to be extremely harmful to the ozone layer. Mike Sager, Esquire, 25 Feb. 2015

Word History

Etymology

German Chlorpikrin, from chlor- + Greek pikros sharp — more at paint

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chloropicrin was circa 1889

Dictionary Entries Near chloropicrin

Cite this Entry

“Chloropicrin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chloropicrin. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

chloropicrin

noun
chlo·​ro·​pic·​rin ˌklōr-ə-ˈpik-rən, ˌklȯr- How to pronounce chloropicrin (audio)
: a heavy colorless liquid CCl3NO2 that causes tears and vomiting and is used especially as a soil fumigant

called also nitrochloroform

More from Merriam-Webster on chloropicrin

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!