DIOXIN

dioxin

(noun) any of several toxic or carcinogenic hydrocarbons that occur as impurities in herbicides

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

dioxin (plural dioxins)

(organic chemistry) Any of a broad range of toxic or carcinogenic halogenated polycyclic compounds that occur as byproducts of herbicides.

(organic compound) The parent compound, dibenzo-p-dioxin, in which two benzene rings are connected vio two oxygen atoms; oxanthrene.

(organic compound) The unsaturated six-membered heterocycle having four carbon atoms, two oxygen atoms and two double bonds.

Source: Wiktionary