paraquat

[ par-uh-kwaht ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a toxic herbicide, C 1 2 H 1 4 N 2 ⋅2CH 3 SO 4 , applied to food and flower crops and to highway borders as a defoliant and weed-killer.

Paraquat

/ ˈpærəˌkwɒt /

noun

1. a yellow extremely poisonous soluble solid used in solution as a weedkiller

paraquat

/ păr′ə-kwŏt′ /

1. A toxic compound used as a herbicide, especially in its colorless, dichloride form (C 12 H 14 Cl 2 N 2 ) or in its yellow, bismethyl sulfate form (C 14 H 20 N 2 O 8 S 2 ). Paraquat is used primarily to control grass and weeds. Its use in the United States is restricted because of its high level of toxicity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraquat¹

1960–65; para- ¹ + quat(ernary), in reference to the bond between the two pyridyl groups, which is in the para position with respect to their quaternary nitrogen atoms

Example Sentences

Decades ago, Ronald Reagan’s drug czar supported spraying illicit marijuana farms with the toxic herbicide paraquat, leading to terror among the High Times set.

From MIT Technology Review

Related Words

• defoliant
• fungicide
• insecticide
• pesticide