poison gas

/ˌpɔɪzn gæs/

Other forms: poison gases

Definitions of poison gas

1. noun

   a gas that is poisonous to breath or contact; used in chemical warfare
   types:

   blistering agent, dichloroethyl sulfide, mustard agent, mustard gas, sulfur mustard

   a toxic war gas with sulfide based compounds that raises blisters and attacks the eyes and lungs; there is no known antidote

   nerve agent, nerve gas

   a toxic gas that is inhaled or absorbed through the skin and has harmful effects on the nervous and respiratory system

   VX gas

   a highly lethal nerve agent used in chemical warfare; a toxic liquid that penetrates the skin or lungs to disrupt the nervous system and stop respiration; in combat VX gas is deployed by detonating a container over the target area and can persist in the environment up to several weeks after release

   organophosphate nerve agent

   any of a series of nerve agents containing organophosphate compounds first synthesized by German chemists in 1936; in World War II the Germans tested them in concentration camps but not on the battlefield; Iraq is alleged to have used them against Iran and against the Kurds

   type of:

   chemical weapon

   chemical substances that can be delivered using munitions and dispersal devices to cause death or severe harm to people and animals and plants

   gas

   a fluid in the gaseous state having neither independent shape nor volume and being able to expand indefinitely