a white odourless crystalline substance extracted from the roots of derris: a powerful insecticide. Formula: C23H22O6; relative density: 1.27; melting pt: 163°C
Word origin
C20: from Japanese rōten derris + -one
rotenone in American English
(ˈroʊtənˌoʊn)
noun
a white, odorless, crystalline substance, C23H22O6, obtained from the roots of certain plants, as derris and cube, and used in insecticides