nerve agent
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A chemical weapon that disrupts the nervous system: A nerve agent is a highly toxic chemical compound, often in liquid or gaseous form, designed as a weapon. It interferes with the transmission of nerve impulses, causing a loss of bodily control and function, typically leading to death by respiratory failure.
Usage
- Noun: The term is used as a countable noun, often in the context of warfare, terrorism, or chemical safety.
- International treaties prohibit the production and stockpiling of nerve agents.
- Emergency responders trained for a chemical attack must know how to detect a nerve agent.
Examples
- Noun:
- The use of a nerve agent in the conflict violated international law.
- Decontamination is critical after exposure to a nerve agent.
- Sarin and VX are well-known types of nerve agents.
Advanced Usage
- "Nerve agent attack": A military or terrorist incident involving the deliberate release of such a chemical.
- The investigation confirmed it was a nerve agent attack.
Variants and Related Words
- Nerve gas: A common synonym, though some nerve agents are liquids at room temperature.
- Chemical weapon: The broader category to which nerve agents belong.
- Organophosphate: The class of chemicals that includes many nerve agents, as well as some pesticides.
Synonyms
- Chemical warfare agent
- Neurotoxin (in a military/weaponized context)
Related Phrases
- Nerve agent poisoning: The medical condition resulting from exposure.
- Symptoms of nerve agent poisoning include convulsions and paralysis.
- Nerve agent antidote: A substance, such as atropine, used to counter the effects.
- Soldiers carry auto-injectors containing a nerve agent antidote.
Noun
- a toxic gas that is inhaled or absorbed through the skin and has harmful effects on the nervous and respiratory system