paraquat
[ par-uh-kwaht ]
/ ˈpær əˌkwɑt /
noun Chemistry.
a toxic herbicide, C12H14N2⋅2CH3SO4, applied to food and flower crops and to highway borders as a defoliant and weed-killer.
Origin of paraquat
1960–65;
para-1 +
quat(ernary), in reference to the bond between the two pyridyl groups, which is in the para position with respect to their quaternary nitrogen atoms
Words nearby paraquat
British Dictionary definitions for paraquat
Paraquat
/ (ˈpærəˌkwɒt) /
noun
trademark
a yellow extremely poisonous soluble solid used in solution as a weedkiller
Medical definitions for paraquat
paraquat
[ păr′ə-kwŏt′ ]
n.
A colorless compound or related yellow compound used as a herbicide.
Scientific definitions for paraquat
paraquat
[ păr′ə-kwŏt′ ]
A toxic compound used as a herbicide, especially in its colorless, dichloride form (C12H14Cl2N2) or in its yellow, bismethyl sulfate form (C14H20N2O8S2). Paraquat is used primarily to control grass and weeds. Its use in the United States is restricted because of its high level of toxicity.