parathion

American  

[par-uh-thahy-on] / ˌpær əˈθaɪ ɒn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a deep-brown to yellow, poisonous liquid, C 1 0 H 1 4 NO 5 PS, used as an insecticide.

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parathion British  

/ ˌpærəˈθaɪɒn /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of parathion

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

Example Sentences

While parathion has been banned around the globe, somehow the tire industry continues to get away with using 6PPD despite its known devastating impacts to salmon and steelhead, especially in Puget Sound’s urban waterways.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 30, 2023

On citrus fruit, parathion has been found to have a “half life” of from sixty to eighty days; in that amount of time, half the chemical disintegrates.

From The New Yorker • Jan. 3, 2017

Colombia bans use of methyl parathion — one of the two pesticides Ms. Grayson mentioned — and effectively bans use of the other, aldicarb, on flowers, as well.

From Washington Post • May 15, 2015

The EPA cancelled the registrations of ethylene dibromide, 2,4,5-T, dieldrin, and parathion, Milbourn said.

From Scientific American • Oct. 6, 2014

The other group consists of the organic phosphorus insecticides, and is represented by the reasonably familiar malathion and parathion.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson