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Glite Dictionary
sulfur mustard

sulfur mustard

9.9
A poisonous chemical used in war that causes severe blisters and eye and lung damage
  • noun
  • /ˈsʌlfər ˈmʌstərd/
  • NSFW
translation icon : mostaza de azufre
  • Exposure to sulfur mustard can cause severe skin burns.

Examples

  • Despite international bans, some reports suggest that sulfur mustard has been used in recent conflicts.

  • Exposure to sulfur mustard can result in severe blistering and long-term respiratory problems.

  • The army was trained to recognize the distinct smell of sulfur mustard during chemical warfare drills.

  • The military used sulfur mustard during World War I.

  • The military reported that the enemy used sulfur mustard in the recent conflict, leading to numerous injuries.

  • Chemists are studying the effects of sulfur mustard on human health to better understand its long-term impacts.

  • During World War I, sulfur mustard was notorious for causing painful blisters on soldiers exposed to it.

Synonyms

mustard gas
vssulfur mustard
  • NSFW
6 7.7

A poison gas used in war that causes painful blisters and damages the lungs

is the more technical chemical name rather than the common label
mustard agent
vssulfur mustard
  • NSFW
1 9.9

A very strong chemical weapon that causes severe blisters and harms the lungs and eyes

is the specific named chemical rather than the general class of substances
dichloroethyl sulfide
vssulfur mustard
  • NSFW
9.9

A very toxic gas used as a weapon that causes severe blisters and eye and lung damage

is the general or more familiar name used in everyday contexts
yperite
vssulfur mustard
  • NSFW
9.9

A poisonous gas, also called mustard gas, that causes severe skin blisters and lung damage

is the modern standard chemical name rather than a historic label
blistering agent
vssulfur mustard
  • NSFW
9.9

A harmful chemical that causes severe blisters on skin and damages eyes and lungs, often used as a weapon

is one particular chemical of that class described by its specific name

Surface Forms

sulfur mustard singular
sulfur mustards plural
sulphur mustards plural
sulphur mustard singular

Morphology

sulfur + mustard

Although the constituents 'sulfur' and 'mustard' are familiar words, their combination denotes a specific, technical vesicant chemical (mustard gas) used as a warfare agent; a B1 learner would not be able to infer toxicity, blistering effects, or military use from the literal words. The term is conventionalized and domain-specific rather than compositionally predictable, so its full meaning is not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Sulfur mustard got its name from two simple things: it contains sulfur and early soldiers said it smelled like mustard or garlic, so they called it 'mustard gas'. That strong image of sulfur plus a mustard-like smell explains why the name now means the dangerous poison that causes severe blisters and harm in war.