malathion
/ˌmaləˈθʌɪən
/noun [mass noun]
A synthetic organophosphorus compound which is used as an insecticide.Recommended chemical treatments include such common insecticides as permethrin, malathion, diazinon and sevin....
- Nearly all of the streams in urban areas contained insecticides commonly used on lawns, such as diazinon and malathion.
- The alcohol in malathion lotion and the terpenoids may cause stinging.
Origin
1950s: from (diethyl) mal(eate) (see maleic acid) + thio- + -on.