denatonium en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree Old French desnaturer French dénaturerbor. English denature New Latin ammōniumbor. English ammonium English onium English -onium English denatonium From denat(ure) + -onium (“a quaternary ammonium compound”).
Meanings
- (uncountable) A quaternary ammonium cation N-benzyl-2-(2,6-dimethylanilino)-N,N-diethyl-2-oxoethan-1-aminium benzoate; the most bitter chemical compound known, whose salts are used as aversive agents to prevent accidental ingestion of dangerous substances.