nitrogen mustard

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. any of the class of poisonous, blistering compounds, as C 5 H 1 1 Cl 2 N, analogous in composition to mustard gas but containing nitrogen instead of sulfur: used in the treatment of cancer and similar diseases; mechlorethamine.

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nitrogen mustard British  

noun

1. any of a class of organic compounds resembling mustard gas in their molecular structure. General formula: RN(CH 2 CH 2 Cl) 2 , where R is an organic group: important in the treatment of cancer

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Etymology

Origin of nitrogen mustard

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Yale University researchers in New Haven, Connecticut, first treated cancer with nitrogen mustard in 1942; the patient died of lymphosarcoma a year before the Germans attacked the Italian harbour.

From Nature

By then we’ve learned that neither the Bari disaster nor the tissue samples Alexander collected pioneered the study of nitrogen mustard in chemotherapy; medical researchers were already experimenting with the compound.

From New York Times

A Russian official showed state journalists chemical equipment and materials, which are needed to produce sulfur and nitrogen mustard gas.

From The Guardian

Lerner noted that Peron was given a nitrogen mustard concoction in a last-ditch attempt to arrest her cancer, reportedly making her Argentina’s first chemotherapy patient.

From Washington Post

Drinking very hot beverages is now classified as probably carcinogenic in IARC's group 2A category, alongside red meat and nitrogen mustard.

From Reuters