dalapon

[ dal-uh-pon ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a selective herbicide, C 3 H 4 Cl 2 O 2 , used to eradicate certain grass weeds in sugarcane and other crops.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dalapon¹

1950–55; probably d(i)-al ( ph)a-(dichloropro)p(i)on(ic acid) , an alternate chemical name; di- ¹, alpha, chloro- ², propionic