Parathion: meaning, definitions and examples

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parathion

 

[ ˈpærəˌθaɪən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

chemical compound

Parathion is a highly toxic organophosphate compound widely used as an insecticide and acaricide. It is primarily employed in agricultural applications to control pests and insects. Parathion can be absorbed through the skin, ingested, or inhaled, leading to serious health risks for humans and animals. Due to its toxicity, the use of parathion has been heavily regulated or banned in many countries. When applying parathion, safety measures must be strictly adhered to avoid potential poisoning.

Synonyms

insecticide, thiophosphate

Examples of usage

  • Farmers apply parathion to control pests on crops.
  • Parathion is banned in several countries due to its toxicity.
  • The use of parathion poses significant health risks to agricultural workers.

Translations

Translations of the word "parathion" in other languages:

🇵🇹 paratión

🇮🇳 पैराथियॉन

🇩🇪 Parathion

🇮🇩 parathion

🇺🇦 паратіон

🇵🇱 paration

🇯🇵 パラチオン

🇫🇷 parathion

🇪🇸 paratión

🇹🇷 paration

🇰🇷 파라티온

🇸🇦 باراثيون

🇨🇿 parathion

🇸🇰 parathion

🇨🇳 巴拉噻

🇸🇮 parathion

🇮🇸 parathion

🇰🇿 паратион

🇬🇪 პარათიონი

🇦🇿 paration

🇲🇽 paratión

Word origin

The word 'parathion' derives from its chemical structure, which includes a para-substituent on the phenyl group and thiophosphate moiety. It was first synthesized in the 1940s and gained popularity as an effective pesticide in agricultural practices. The prefix 'para-' indicates the position of the substituent on the aromatic ring, while 'thion' refers to the presence of sulfur in its chemical composition. Over the years, extensive research has been conducted on its efficacy and safety, leading to a better understanding of its toxicological effects. As a result, many countries have imposed strict regulations or have completely banned its use to ensure environmental and human safety. The historical context of parathion reflects the ongoing balance between agricultural productivity and public health.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,718, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.