malathion

mal a thi on |ˌmaləˈTHīˌän ˌmæləˈθaɪɑn | ▶noun a synthetic organophosphorus compound that is used as an insecticide and is relatively harmless to plants and other animals. ORIGIN 1950s: from ( diethyl ) mal (eate ) (see maleic acid ) + thio- + -on .

malathion

malathion |ˌmaləˈθʌɪən | ▶noun [ mass noun ] a synthetic organophosphorus compound which is used as an insecticide. ORIGIN 1950s: from ( diethyl ) mal (eate ) (see maleic acid ) + thio- + -on .