phosgene Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a colorless poisonous gas that smells like new-mown hay; used in chemical warfare

WordNet

Phos"gene adjective
Etymology
Gr. light + the root of to be born: cf. F. phosgène.
Definitions
  1. (Old Chem.) Producing, or produced by, the action of light; -- formerly used specifically to designate a gas now called carbonyl chloride. See Carbonyl. still called phosgene. It was used as a poison gas in World War I.

Webster 1913