ethephon
[ eth-uh-fon ]
/ ˈɛθ əˌfɒn /
noun Chemistry.
a solid compound, C2H6ClO3P, used as a growth regulator to accelerate the ripening of tomatoes, citrus fruit, apples, and other crops.
Nearby words
ethelred ii, ethelstan, ethelwulf, ethene, ethenyl, ethephon, ether, ethereal, ethereal oil, etherealize, etherege
Origin of ethephon
1970–75; as shortening of the chemical name 2-chloroethanephosphonic acid; see chlor(o)-2, ethane, phospho-, -onic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019