rotenone

[ roht-n-ohn ]
/ ˈroʊt nˌoʊn /

noun Chemistry, Pharmacology.

a white, crystalline, water-insoluble, poisonous heterocyclic compound, C23H22O6, obtained from derris root: used chiefly as the active ingredient of certain insecticides and in medicine in the treatment of chiggers and scabies.

Origin of rotenone

1920–25; roten- (said to be < Japanese) + -one

Words nearby rotenone

Example sentences from the Web for rotenone

British Dictionary definitions for rotenone

rotenone
/ (ˈrəʊtɪˌnəʊn) /

noun

a white odourless crystalline substance extracted from the roots of derris: a powerful insecticide. Formula: C 23 H 22 O 6; relative density: 1.27; melting pt: 163°C

Word Origin for rotenone

C20: from Japanese rōten derris + -one