para-dichlorobenzene

or par·a·di·chlo·ro·ben·zene

[ par-uh-dahy-klawr-uh-ben-zeen, -ben-zeen, -klohr- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, volatile, water-insoluble solid, C 6 H 4 Cl 2 , of the benzene series, having a penetrating odor: used chiefly as a moth repellent.

Word History and Origins

Origin of para-dichlorobenzene¹

First recorded in 1875–80; para- ¹ + di- ¹ + chloro- ² + benzene

Example Sentences

The mothballs probably contain para-dichlorobenzene, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress and other illnesses.

From New York Times