peroxyacetyl nitrate

noun

per·​oxy·​ace·​tyl nitrate pə-ˌräk-sē-ə-ˈsē-tᵊl- 

-ˈa-sə-tᵊl-,

-ˌtēl-

: a toxic compound C₂H₃O₅N found especially in smog

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

peroxyacetyl nitrate

noun

per·​oxy·​ace·​tyl nitrate pə-ˌräk-sē-ə-ˈsēt-ᵊl-, -ˈas-ət-; -ˈas-ə-ˌtēl- 

: a toxic compound C₂H₃O₅N irritating to the eyes and upper respiratory tract that is formed by the action of sunlight on volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen and is found especially in smog

—abbreviation PAN