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

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

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chloropicrin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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 27 Mar. 2023.

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!


Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
Spell It

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY