/awr'geuh noh fos"fayt, awr gan'euh-/ , n.
Biochem. any of a variety of organic compounds that contain phosphorus and often have intense neurotoxic activity: originally developed as nerve gases, now widely used as insecticides and fire retardants. Also called organophosphorus compounds /awr'geuh noh fos"feuhr euhs, awr gan'euh-/ .
[ 1945-50; ORGANO- + PHOSPHATE ]