rotenone

English

Etymology

From Japanese ローテン (rōten) +‎ -one (“ketone”), from Hokkien 蘆藤／芦藤 (lôo-tîn, “Derris elliptica”).

Noun

rotenone (countable and uncountable, plural rotenones)

1. (chemistry) A toxic crystalline substance obtained from the roots of derris and related plants, widely used as an insecticide.

Synonyms

• nicouline (dated)

Derived terms

• rotenolone
• rotenonic acid

References

• “rotenone”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.