chloropicrin

noun

chlo·​ro·​pic·​rin ˌklȯr-ə-ˈpi-krən 

: a colorless liquid CCl₃NO₂ that causes tears and vomiting and is used especially as a soil fumigant

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Medical Definition

chloropicrin

noun

chlo·​ro·​pic·​rin ˌklōr-ə-ˈpik-rən, ˌklȯr- 

: a heavy colorless liquid CCl₃NO₂ that causes tears and vomiting and is used especially as a soil fumigant

called also nitrochloroform