phosgene

phos·gene  (fsjn, fz-)

n.

A colorless volatile liquid or gas, COCl₂, used as a poison gas and in making glass, dyes, resins, and plastics.

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[French phosgène : Greek phs, light; see phos- + French -gène, -gen.]

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phosgene [foz-jean]

Noun

a poisonous gas used in warfare [Greek phōs light + -genēs born]

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phosgene  (fsjn)

A colorless, volatile gas that has the odor of freshly mowed hay. When it reacts with water (as in the lungs during respiration), phosgene produces hydrochloric acid and carbon monoxide. It is used in making glass, dyes, resins, and plastics, and was used as a poisonous gas during World War I. Also called carbonyl chloride. Chemical formula: COCl₂.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

phosgene - a colorless poisonous gas that smells like new-mown hay; used in chemical warfare gas - a fluid in the gaseous state having neither independent shape nor volume and being able to expand indefinitely