Polybrominated

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Containing two or more bromine atoms bonded within a chemical compound
2. Having numerous bromine atoms attached to or incorporated into a molecular structure
3. Composed of a substance with multiple bromine atoms integrated into its chemical makeup

Etymology: "Polybrominated" is a plain chemistry compound: "poly-" from Ancient Greek "polús" (many, much) joined to "brominated," meaning treated or combined with bromine. The "poly-" prefix entered English through scientific Latin and Greek-based coinage, and in this word it signals that several bromine atoms have been added to a single molecule. The adjective is most often used for a class of flame retardants, the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which were added to plastics, foams and electronics to slow burning. Because these compounds persist in the environment and accumulate in animal tissue, the term is now also common in environmental and health reporting.