methylmercury

[ meth-uhl-mur-kyuh-ree ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any of several extremely toxic organometallic compounds, Hg(CH 3 ) 2 , formed from metallic mercury by the action of microorganisms and capable of entering the food chain: used as seed disinfectants.

Word History and Origins

Origin of methylmercury¹

First recorded in 1915–20; methyl + mercury