diquat

[ dahy-kwot ]

noun

1. a yellow crystalline substance, C 12 H 12 Br 2 N 2 , used as a selective postemergence herbicide to control weeds on noncrop land and for aquatic weed control.

Word History and Origins

Origin of diquat¹

First recorded in 1955–60; di- ¹ + quat(ernary)

Example Sentences

Wilde suspects one local source might be an herbicide, diquat dibromide, that is used to kill hydrilla.

From Science Magazine

Duckweed and watermeal are just two types of weeds that most pond owners seek to control with chemicals such as diquat.

From National Geographic

Furthermore, diquat doesn’t work on watermeal.

From National Geographic

After the use of the chemical diquat, the duckweed turns brown and sinks to the bottom, which can nourish unkilled weeds, effectively making matters worse.

From National Geographic