parathion

[ par-uh-thahy-on ]

/ ˌpær əˈθaɪ ɒn /

noun Chemistry.

a deep-brown to yellow, poisonous liquid, C10H14NO5PS, used as an insecticide.

Nearby words

paratenesis, paratenic host, paratenon, paraterminal gyrus, paratha, parathion, parathyrin, parathyroid, parathyroid extract, parathyroid gland, parathyroid glands

Origin of parathion

First recorded in 1945–50; para-¹ + thi- + -on(e)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for parathion

parathion

/ (ˌpærəˈθaɪɒn) /

noun

a slightly water-soluble toxic oil, odourless and colourless when pure, used as an insecticide. Formula: C 10 H 14 NO 5 PS

Word Origin for parathion

C20: from para- 1 + thio- + -on

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for parathion

parathion

[ păr′ə-thī′ŏn ]

n.

A highly poisonous organic phosphate insecticide that is an irreversible inhibitor of cholinesterase.