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chloropicrin

chloropicrin

9.9
A strong poisonous liquid used to kill pests that hurts the eyes and makes breathing difficult
  • noun
  • /ˌklɔːrəˈpɪkrɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cloropicrina
  • Many pesticides, including chloropicrin, can be harmful.

Examples

  • The pesticide chloropicrin is effective in controlling nematodes and weeds in farming.

  • Exposure to chloropicrin can cause severe eye irritation and difficulty breathing.

  • The greenhouse was fumigated with chloropicrin to eradicate soil-borne pests.

  • Workers must wear protective equipment when handling chloropicrin due to its toxic properties.

  • The farmer applied chloropicrin to protect his crops.

  • When exposed to chloropicrin, workers must wear protective gear to avoid irritation to their eyes.

  • The use of chloropicrin as a tear gas in crowd control situations can cause severe respiratory distress.

Synonyms

nitrochloroform
vschloropicrin
  • Specialized
9.9

A heavy colorless liquid that makes your eyes water and causes vomiting, used to kill pests and in tear gas

focuses on causing eye and respiratory irritation rather than vomiting

Surface Forms

chloropicrin singular
chloropicrins plural

Morphology

chloropicrin = picrin (opaque) = chloro + picrin

The term is formed from specialized chemical combining forms; the components are not meaningful to an average B1 learner without chemistry knowledge.

Etymology

Chloropicrin breaks into chloro-, from Greek meaning 'green' and the same part seen in chlorine, and picrin, from a Greek word meaning 'bitter' (as in picric acid). So the name suggests a strong, bitter chemical, which fits its modern use as a pesticide and tear gas that irritates the eyes and makes breathing difficult.