methylmercury

[ meth-uhl-mur-kyuh-ree ]

/ ˌmɛθ əlˈmɜr kyə ri /

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noun Chemistry.

any of several extremely toxic organometallic compounds, Hg(CH3)2, formed from metallic mercury by the action of microorganisms and capable of entering the food chain: used as seed disinfectants.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of methylmercury

First recorded in 1915–20; methyl + mercury

Words nearby methylmercury

methylidyne group, methylisobutenyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isocyanate, methyl lactate, methylmercury, methyl methacrylate, methylnaphthalene, methyl oleate, methyl orange, methylparaben