heptachlor

[ hep-tuh-klawr, -klohr ]

noun

1. a highly toxic, light-tan, waxy solid, C 10 H 5 Cl 7 , used as an insecticide: its manufacture and use are restricted in the U.S.

heptachlor

/ hĕp′tə-klôr′ /

1. A white or tan powder used as a pesticide. Because it is highly toxic to humans and is a suspected carcinogen, its use has been largely discontinued. Chemical formula: C 10 H 5 Cl 7 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of heptachlor¹

First recorded in 1945–50; hepta- + chlor- ²

Example Sentences

If the diet contains as little as a tenth of one part per million, there will be measurable amounts of heptachlor in the body.

From The New Yorker

The United States Department of Agriculture, which as late as March, 1959, had declared heptachlor to be acceptable for use on hops in the form of a soil treatment, thereafter belatedly withdrew its registration for such use.

From The New Yorker

In other experiments, it was found that BHC, lindane, aldrin, heptachlor, and DDD all prevented nitrogen-fixing bacteria from forming the necessary root nodules on leguminous plants, and also that a curious but beneficial relation between fungi and the roots of higher plants was seriously disrupted.

From The New Yorker

BHC persists a least eleven years, and heptachlor at least nine.

From The New Yorker

On the advice of agricultural experts and insecticide manufacturers, they chose heptachlor to do the job.

From The New Yorker