potassium permanganate

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a very dark purple, crystalline, water-soluble solid, KMnO 4 , used chiefly as an oxidizing agent, disinfectant, laboratory reagent, and in medicine as an astringent and antiseptic.

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potassium permanganate British  

noun

1. Systematic name: potassium manganate(VII).  a dark purple poisonous odourless soluble crystalline solid, used as a bleach, disinfectant, and antiseptic. Formula: KMnO 4

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potassium permanganate Scientific  

1. A dark purple crystalline compound used as an oxidizing agent and disinfectant and in deodorizers and dyes. Chemical formula: KMnO ₄ .

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Etymology

Origin of potassium permanganate

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Remote-controlled aircraft drop spheres the size of ping-pong balls, filled with two compounds: potassium permanganate and glycol.

From Scientific American

The “dragon egg” system consists of self-igniting plastic spheres filled with potassium permanganate.

From The Guardian

That was the result of a disinfectant called potassium permanganate that leaked into the system, not algae, salt or aliens.

From New York Times

The company stores up to half a million pounds of reactive and toxic potassium permanganate.

From Washington Times

The balls are filled with a chemical powder, potassium permanganate, before they’re loaded into the drone.

From Washington Times