mustard gas

plural mustard gases

1. countableuncountableA highly cytotoxic vesicant, C₄H₈Cl₂S, used in World War I that is known to cause skin burns, blisters, inflammation, edema, and potentially other respiratory effects.

   The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

   2 more examples

   The necessarily elaborate precautions taken to decontaminate vehicles and trains which have been in contact with mustard gas were shown, and examples of the board's breakdown and ambulance vehicles were available for inspection.

   1939 June, “What the Railways are Doing: London Transport Air Raid Precautions”, in Railway Magazine, page 462

   With the cessation of hostilities, the military traffic declined considerably, although at least two years will be required to remove the many thousands of tons of explosives still stored at the depot. The supplies of mustard gas have already been despatched to Stranraer to be dumped in the sea, and the disposal of ¾-million land mines has called for the provision of 17 special trains.

   1947 January and February, “Wartime Traffic at Tanfield, L.N.E.R.”, in Railway Magazine, page 47

   Synonyms: dichlorodiethyl sulfide, sulfur mustard, sulphur mustard, yellow cross liquid, yperite