chlorpicrin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Scientific / Historical
Quick answer
What does “chlorpicrin” mean?
A toxic, colourless liquid chemical compound used as a soil fumigant, pesticide, and tear gas.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A toxic, colourless liquid chemical compound used as a soil fumigant, pesticide, and tear gas.
A powerful chemical agent (CCl₃NO₂) historically used in warfare as a choking agent and in agriculture to control soil-borne pests and fungi. It is also known as nitrotrichloromethane.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The spelling 'chlorpicrin' is standard in both, though the alternative 'chloropicrin' is also commonly used.
Connotations
Connotes extreme hazard, chemical warfare, and specialised agricultural practice equally in both regions.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, limited to highly technical texts, safety regulations, and historical accounts of WWI chemical warfare.
Grammar
How to Use “chlorpicrin” in a Sentence
[Subject] applied chlorpicrin to [Object (soil/area)][Subject] was exposed to chlorpicrinChlorpicrin is used as a [Complement (fumigant/agent)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chlorpicrin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The field was chlorpicrinned prior to planting.
American English
- They needed to chlorpicrin the soil to eradicate the nematodes.
adjective
British English
- The chlorpicrin canister was handled with extreme care.
American English
- They followed the chlorpicrin protocol strictly.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in the context of chemical manufacturing, agricultural supply, or hazardous material regulation compliance.
Academic
Used in chemistry, toxicology, agricultural science, and military history papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would only appear in news reports about chemical accidents or historical features.
Technical
Primary context. Used in safety data sheets (SDS), agricultural extension manuals, and chemical engineering literature.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chlorpicrin”
- Misspelling as 'chloropicrin' (a common variant, not a mistake), 'clorpicrin', or 'chlorpicrin'.
- Incorrectly classifying it as a herbicide only; it is a broad-spectrum biocide and irritant.
- Mispronouncing the 'ch' as /tʃ/ (as in 'chair') instead of /k/ (as in 'chlorine').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Chlorpicrin is one specific type of tear gas and choking agent, but 'tear gas' is a broader term that includes other chemicals like CS gas.
No, due to its high toxicity and potential environmental hazard, its purchase and use are heavily restricted to licensed professionals in agriculture or industry.
It is a severe lung irritant, causing tearing, coughing, breathing difficulties, and nausea. High concentrations can lead to pulmonary edema and be fatal.
Both are accepted, with 'chloropicrin' being slightly more common in modern scientific literature, but 'chlorpicrin' is a standard variant.
A toxic, colourless liquid chemical compound used as a soil fumigant, pesticide, and tear gas.
Chlorpicrin is usually technical / scientific / historical in register.
Chlorpicrin: in British English it is pronounced /klɔːˈpɪkrɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /klɔːrˈpɪkrɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The word is too technical for idiomatic use.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CHLORine + PICric acid + -IN → CHLORPICRIN (a chlorine-containing compound related to picric acid derivatives).
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGER IS A POISONOUS CLOUD (e.g., 'The chlorpicrin hung over the battlefield').
Practice
Quiz
In which field is chlorpicrin LEAST likely to be discussed?