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ethephon

American  
[eth-uh-fon] / ˈɛθ əˌfɒn /

noun

Chemistry.

  1. a solid compound, C 2 H 6 ClO 3 P, used as a growth regulator to accelerate the ripening of tomatoes, citrus fruit, apples, and other crops.

Etymology

Origin of ethephon

First recorded in 1970–75; shortening of the chemical name 2-chloroethanephosphonic acid; chlor- 2, ethane, phospho-, -onic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The pesticide, later found to be Ethephon 2, is used to ripen fruits like cantaloupes and blackberries.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.