paraquat

American  

[par-uh-kwaht] / ˈpær əˌkwɑt /

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.

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Paraquat British  

/ ˈpærəˌkwɒt /

noun

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

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paraquat Scientific  

/ 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.

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Etymology

Origin of paraquat

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

Related Words

• defoliant
• fungicide
• insecticide
• pesticide