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paraquat

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: //ˈpærəkwɒt//

KK: /ˈpærəkwɑt/

noun
Definition

A chemical substance that is used to kill unwanted plants and weeds, known for being very toxic.


Example

Farmers often use paraquat to control weeds in their fields.


Conversation
Sloth A
Have you heard about the dangers of paraquat?
Sloth B
Yeah, I read that it's a really toxic herbicide.
Sloth A
It's crazy how something so effective can be so dangerous.
Sloth B
Absolutely, we should be careful with what we use in our gardens.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
herbicide
pesticide
chemical
Antonyms
fertilizer
nourishment
growth
Root Explanation

Paraquat is derived from the combination of 'para-' (meaning alongside or beyond) and 'quat' (from quaternary ammonium compounds, referring to a type of chemical structure). The term describes a chemical compound that acts as a herbicide, functioning alongside or beyond typical herbicides.

Memory Tip

Think of 'para-' meaning alongside and 'quat' relating to a specific type of chemical structure, which helps you remember that paraquat is a chemical used alongside other herbicides.

Visually Confused Words
parquet
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