Meanings
plural phosgenes
- uncountableusuallychemistrycarbonyl chloride
“‘Poison gas’?” A new one on Lew. But Dr. De Bottle had taken on a somber look. “Phosgene.”
2006, Thomas Pynchon, Against the Day, Vintage, published 2007, page 2651 more example
Remote and cold, H-276 is nevertheless of interest due to phosgene gas in its thick chlorine atmosphere. This could indicate primitive chlorine-based life. However, no detailed study has been completed.
2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: H-276, Pytheas System
Synonyms & antonyms
Origin
- Ancient Greekφῶς“light”
- Englishphosgene
From Ancient Greek φῶς (phôs, “light”) + -gene, due to its first synthesis involving sunlight.
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
phosgene. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phosgene
“phosgene.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phosgene. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “phosgene,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phosgene.
Source: phosgene on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.