nitrogen mustard

noun, Chemistry
1.
any of the class of poisonous, blistering compounds, as C 5 H 1 1 Cl 2 N, analogous in composition to mustard gas but containing nitrogen instead of sulfur: used in the treatment of cancer and similar diseases; mechlorethamine.
Origin
1945-50
Examples from the web for nitrogen mustard
  • Information on nitrogen mustard, a potential agent for chemical terrorism.
British Dictionary definitions for nitrogen mustard

nitrogen mustard

noun
1.
any of a class of organic compounds resembling mustard gas in their molecular structure. General formula: RN(CH2CH2Cl)2, where R is an organic group: important in the treatment of cancer
nitrogen mustard in Medicine

nitrogen mustard n.
Any of various toxic blistering compounds analogous to mustard gas but containing nitrogen rather than sulfur, sometimes used to control or check the growth of neoplastic cells.