Meanings
plural organophosphates
- chemistryAny ester of phosphoric acid or its derivatives, especially one used as an insecticide or herbicide.
Like other nerve agents, they are organophosphate compounds, but the chemicals used to make novichoks, and their final structures, are considered classified in the UK, the US and other countries.
2018 March 13, Ian Sample, “Novichok nerve agents – what are they?”, in The Guardian1 more example
The paper found high levels of phased-out flame retardants like PCBs and PBDEs, as well as allegedly safe, newer replacements chemicals, such as chlorinated paraffins and organophosphates, across the globe.
2023 October 18, Tom Perkins, “Flame retardant pollution threatens wildlife on all continents, research finds”, in The Guardian
Origin
- Englishorgano-
- Proto-Indo-European*bʰeh₂-
- Proto-Indo-European*bʰéh₂os
- Proto-Hellenic*pʰáwos
- Ancient Greekφᾰ́ος (phắos)
- Ancient Greekφῶς (phôs)
- Proto-Indo-European*bʰer-
- Proto-Indo-European*bʰéreti
- Proto-Hellenic*pʰérō
- Ancient Greekφέρω (phérō)
- Ancient Greekφωσφόρος (phōsphóros)
- Latinphōsphorus
- Frenchphosphore
- Frenchphosphate
- Englishphosphate
- Englishorganophosphate
Translations
Chinese Mandarin 有机磷
- 有机磷 (yǒujīlín)ester of phosphoric acid
Finnish organofosfaatti
- organofosfaattiester of phosphoric acid
Italian organofosfato
- organofosfatoester of phosphoric acid
Spanish organofosfato
- organofosfatoester of phosphoric acid
Cite this entry
organophosphate. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/organophosphate
“organophosphate.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/organophosphate. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “organophosphate,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/organophosphate.
Source: organophosphate on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.