polychlorinated

P3O1L1Y4C3H4L1O1R1I1N1A1T1E1D2

adjective

Having many hydrogen atoms replaced by chlorine.

OriginEnglish chlorinated ← Ancient Greek πολῠ́ς (polŭ́s) ← Proto-Indo-European *polh₁ús →
Less commonScrabble 26
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Meanings

adjectivepolychlorinated (not comparable)
  1. not comparablechemistryHaving many hydrogen atoms replaced by chlorine.

    Another environmental factor thought to be affecting some coastal birds, although comparatively little is yet known about its extent or origin, is the presence of marine pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and toxic heavy metals.

    1986, Valerie M. Thom, “Coastal habitats”, in Birds in Scotland, London: T & AD Poyser, published 2011, →ISBN, page 25

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*pleh₁-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*polh₁ús
  3. Ancient Greekπολῠ́ς (polŭ́s)
  4. Englishpoly-
  5. Englishchlorinated
  6. Englishpolychlorinated

From poly- + chlorinated.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

polychlorinated. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polychlorinated

MLA

“polychlorinated.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polychlorinated. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “polychlorinated,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polychlorinated.

Source: polychlorinated on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.