captan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (technical/agricultural term)Technical, agricultural, horticultural, regulatory
Quick answer
What does “captan” mean?
A synthetic organic chemical fungicide used to control fungal diseases on fruit, vegetables, and ornamental plants.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A synthetic organic chemical fungicide used to control fungal diseases on fruit, vegetables, and ornamental plants.
A non-systemic protective fungicide belonging to the phthalimide class, working by inhibiting spore germination and mycelial growth. Historically used in agriculture and horticulture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant linguistic differences; usage is identical in both technical registers. Regulatory status and approval for specific crops may differ.
Connotations
Neutral technical term. May carry connotations of conventional (non-organic) agriculture and potential environmental/health concerns in some contexts.
Frequency
Frequency is equally low in both varieties, confined to specialist domains. Its use has declined due to regulatory restrictions.
Grammar
How to Use “captan” in a Sentence
NP apply captan [to NP]NP treat NP [with captan]NP be treated [with captan]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “captan” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The apples were treated with captan before storage.
- Always follow the label instructions when applying captan.
American English
- The orchard was sprayed with captan to prevent scab.
- You shouldn't captan tomatoes too close to harvest. (Note: non-standard verb use, sometimes heard)
adjective
British English
- A captan-based spray was recommended.
- Check for any captan residue limits.
American English
- The captan treatment proved effective.
- They used a captan dust formulation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the agricultural supply and agrochemical industry regarding product sales, labeling, and regulation.
Academic
Found in agricultural science, plant pathology, environmental chemistry, and toxicology research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A gardener or farmer might use the term.
Technical
The primary context: agricultural extension documents, pesticide manuals, safety data sheets (SDS), and crop protection guides.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “captan”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “captan”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “captan”
- Misspelling as 'captain'.
- Using as a verb (e.g., 'to captan the apples' is non-standard).
- Incorrect capitalization (it's typically a common noun now).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, captan is a synthetic chemical fungicide and is not permitted in certified organic agriculture.
Historically and currently (where approved) on apples, peaches, roses, tomatoes, and various ornamental plants.
It acts as a protective contact fungicide, forming a barrier on the plant surface that inhibits fungal spore germination.
Due to health and environmental concerns, leading to stricter regulations, bans on certain uses (e.g., home gardens in some countries), and the development of newer alternatives.
A synthetic organic chemical fungicide used to control fungal diseases on fruit, vegetables, and ornamental plants.
Captan is usually technical, agricultural, horticultural, regulatory in register.
Captan: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkæp.tæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæp.tæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CAPTure fungi on plANTs' -> CAPTAN. Or, it 'captures' the fungal attack.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHIELD / PROTECTIVE BARRIER (as a protective coating that shields the plant from fungal invasion).
Practice
Quiz
Captan is primarily used in which field?