Sarin

/ˈsærɪn/ noun

Definition

A deadly nerve gas used as a chemical weapon; causes muscle paralysis and death by stopping the ability to breathe.

Etymology

Acronym from the first letters of its German discoverers' names (Schrader, Ambros, Rüdiger, von der Linde) in 1938. Originally developed as a pesticide.

Kelly Says

Sarin is so toxic that a single drop on skin can kill an adult—it's been used in terrorism and war crimes, which is why it's banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

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