Definition

A colorless, oily liquid that can irritate the skin and lungs, often used in tear gas, disinfectants, and as a soil fumigant.

Example

Chloropicrin is commonly used in agriculture to control pests in the soil.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of chloropicrin?

Yeah, I think it’s that chemical used for fumigating soil, right?

That's the one! It can be pretty dangerous if not handled properly.

Definitely, I read it can cause skin and lung irritation.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Chloropicrin is formed from "chloro-" (from Greek "chloros", meaning green) and "picrin" (from Latin "picrinus", meaning bitter). The word refers to a greenish, bitter-smelling chemical compound used as a pesticide and tear gas.

Memory Tip

Think of 'green' ('chloro-') and 'bitter' ('picrin') to remember that chloropicrin is a greenish compound with a bitter smell.

Visually Confused Words