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heptachlor

American  
[hep-tuh-klawr, -klohr] / ˈhɛp təˌklɔr, -ˌkloʊr /

noun

  1. a highly toxic, light-tan, waxy solid, C 10 H 5 Cl 7 , used as an insecticide: its manufacture and use are restricted in the U.S.


heptachlor Scientific  
/ hĕptə-klôr′ /
  1. A white or tan powder used as a pesticide. Because it is highly toxic to humans and is a suspected carcinogen, its use has been largely discontinued. Chemical formula: C 10 H 5 Cl 7 .


Etymology

Origin of heptachlor

First recorded in 1945–50; hepta- + chlor- 2

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.

See Examples For:

Four years later, the soil still contained heptachlor, and scientists were unable to predict how long it would remain poisonous, or to recommend any procedure for correcting the condition.

From The New Yorker Jan. 3, 2017

On the advice of agricultural experts and insecticide manufacturers, they chose heptachlor to do the job.

From The New Yorker Jan. 3, 2017

The researchers also looked for the pesticide heptachlor, which was taken off the market for most uses in the U.S. in 1988.

From MSNBC Dec. 10, 2015

Studies have detected known carcinogens such as heptachlor and ethion in the blood of Punjabi citizens and the breast milk of new mothers, as well as in grains, cotton and vegetables harvested from the fields.

From New York Times Jul. 30, 2013

Meanwhile, after rather than before the control program was launched, some research into the peculiar nature of heptachlor was done.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

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