An organophosphorus systemic and soil insecticide that is effective against a wide range of insects and is also poisonous to humans on contact or ingestion; O,O-diethyl-S-(ethylthio)methylphosphorodithioate, (C₂H₅O)₂PS·S·CH₂SC₂H₅.
Origin
1950s; earliest use found in Journal of Economic Entomology. From phor- (in phosphoro-, an element of the chemical name) + -ate.
Definition of phorate in US English:
phorate
nounˈfɔːreɪt
An organophosphorus systemic and soil insecticide that is effective against a wide range of insects and is also poisonous to humans on contact or ingestion; O,O-diethyl-S-(ethylthio)methylphosphorodithioate, (C₂H₅O)₂PS·S·CH₂SC₂H₅.
Origin
1950s; earliest use found in Journal of Economic Entomology. From phor- (in phosphoro-, an element of the chemical name) + -ate.