chloropicrin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Historical
Quick answer
What does “chloropicrin” mean?
A highly toxic chemical compound used historically as a tear gas and fumigant.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A highly toxic chemical compound used historically as a tear gas and fumigant.
An organic compound with the chemical formula CCl₃NO₂, once deployed as a chemical weapon (lachrymator) and primarily used in agriculture to sterilize soil and eliminate pests, nematodes, and fungi. Its use is now heavily restricted.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Both varieties use the same term.
Connotations
Uniformly negative, associated with chemical warfare and hazardous chemicals.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, limited to niche technical fields.
Grammar
How to Use “chloropicrin” in a Sentence
The [noun] was treated with chloropicrin.Chloropicrin was used as a [noun].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chloropicrin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The field was chloropicrined to eradicate the pest.
American English
- They chloropicrined the soil before planting.
adjective
British English
- The chloropicrin residue was a concern.
American English
- A chloropicrin-based fumigant was applied.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in regulatory compliance for chemical or agricultural businesses.
Academic
Found in historical texts on WWI chemistry or specialized agricultural science papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary domain; used in chemistry, military history, and agronomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chloropicrin”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chloropicrin”
- Mispronunciation: /ˈklɒrəˌpɪkrɪn/ instead of the standard.
- Misspelling as 'chloropicin' or 'chloropikrin'.
- Using it as a general term for any pesticide.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Its use is highly restricted. It is primarily used as a soil fumigant in some agricultural contexts under strict regulations, but its historical use as a chemical weapon is banned.
It is a severe irritant to the eyes, lungs, and skin. Exposure can cause tearing, coughing, breathing difficulties, and in high concentrations, pulmonary edema or death.
It is often described as having a pungent, penetrating odour, sometimes compared to that of chlorine or a strong insecticide, which serves as a warning property.
No. It is a regulated industrial and agricultural chemical, not a component of household or consumer goods due to its high toxicity.
A highly toxic chemical compound used historically as a tear gas and fumigant.
Chloropicrin is usually technical / historical in register.
Chloropicrin: in British English it is pronounced /ˌklɔːrə(ʊ)ˈpɪkrɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌklɔːroʊˈpɪkrɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CHLORO (like chlorine/chemical) + PICRIN (sounds like 'picric' as in picric acid, another explosive/chemical). A chemical compound.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGER IS A POISONOUS CLOUD / WARFARE IS CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION.
Practice
Quiz
In which primary field is chloropicrin most relevant today?