nitrogen mustard

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any of the class of poisonous, blistering compounds, as C 5 H 1 1 Cl 2 N, analogous in composition to mustard gas but containing nitrogen instead of sulfur: used in the treatment of cancer and similar diseases; mechlorethamine.

nitrogen mustard

noun

1. any of a class of organic compounds resembling mustard gas in their molecular structure. General formula: RN(CH 2 CH 2 Cl) 2 , where R is an organic group: important in the treatment of cancer

Word History and Origins

Origin of nitrogen mustard¹

First recorded in 1945–50