Definition

A clear, colorless liquid that was used as a pesticide to kill insects, but is harmful to humans and animals.

Example

Chlordane was commonly used in agriculture until its harmful effects were discovered.

Conversation

Have you heard about the pesticide called chlordane?

Yeah, I read that it was used a lot in the past.

I was surprised to find out how toxic chlordane can be for the environment.

It’s crazy how some chemicals can be so harmful and were used so freely.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Chlordane is formed from "chlor-" (from Greek "chloros", meaning green) and "-dane" (a suffix used in organic chemistry to denote saturated hydrocarbons). The word refers to a greenish compound used as a pesticide, indicating its chemical structure and properties.

Memory Tip

Think of 'chloros', which means green, to remember that chlordane is a chemical compound related to pesticides.

Visually Confused Words