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Glite Dictionary
🧪 Containing carbon and phosphorus 🧪 A chemical compound
organophosphorus

organophosphorus

8.5
A chemical that contains both carbon and phosphorus, often used as a pesticide
  • noun
  • /ˌɔrɡənəˈfɑsfərəs/
  • Specialized
: compuesto organofosforado
  • Researchers are studying the effects of organophosphorus pesticides on local wildlife populations.

Examples

  • Samples were analyzed for five pyrethroid and five organophosphorus (OP) metabolites.

    Academic text (2014)

  • Farmers often rely on organophosphorus chemicals to protect their crops from pests.

  • Organophosphorus agents have caused neurotoxicity in poultry.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Of particular concern are the chronic health problems associated with the effects of organophosphorus pesticides, which have largely replaced the banned organochlorines (Ecobichon et al. 1990).

    Academic text (1992)

  • Environmental samples were tested for residues of organophosphorus compounds following pesticide application.

Surface Forms

organophosphorus singular
organophosphorus plural

Morphology

organophosphorus = phosphorus (opaque) = organo + phosphorus

Although the word is built from a technical combining form plus 'phosphorus', the meaning is not recoverable for an average learner from the parts alone.

Etymology

Organophosphorus is made from organo- and phosphorus, with organo- like organic meaning 'carbon-based' and phosphorus the element 'phosphorus'. So an organophosphorus is a chemical compound that contains both carbon and phosphorus, which explains why some are used as pesticides and why they can be harmful.